Corey Davis went from savior to spare from the chopping block within the area of a fast overhaul from the Jets’ broad receiver.
Two years in the past, with the Jets determined to enhance Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder, Davis signed a three-year, $37.5 million free agent deal to be their undisputed No. 1 goal.
However continued additions — the drafting of Garrett Wilson in 2022 and the signing of Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Mecole Hardman this offseason — plus Davis’ unsecured $10.5 million wage put his place in jeopardy.
And but, Davis caught a cross ultimately zone on Saturday.
There he was on a teeing street once more on Sunday as Aaron Rodgers uncorked a deep ball.
“It was all out of my management,” Davis mentioned. “It was sort of a protracted low season. There was a time when there was uncertainty. Clearly with all of the strikes occurring, it is laborious to not assume that. It is nonetheless a enterprise, however I am completely happy to be right here. Glad they stored me.
Head coach Robert Saleh’s message behind the scenes by means of all of the hypothesis was “don’t be concerned, all the pieces will likely be high quality,” Davis mentioned.
There is a college of thought that the 6-foot-3 Davis might not but be totally clear as a result of he and the 6-foot-5 Lazard supply overlapping expertise as bodily receivers.
However Davis, who skipped many of the volunteer OTAs within the spring, is not relying on the competitors to inspire him when he already has loads of that.
“This fireplace by no means goes wherever whether or not I am (No.) 1, 2 or 3,” Davis mentioned. “We now have a whole lot of expertise on this room – a whole lot of guys who convey various things to the desk. I am simply attempting to play my half one of the best I can and lead these younger boys one of the best I can.
Davis has not less than one new lawyer within the Jets constructing: Passing recreation coordinator Todd Downing was the Titans tight ends coach in 2020, when Davis set all of his profession highs — 65 catches for 984 yards and 5 touchdowns with Tennessee — main as much as his free company.
“The Tremendous Bowl is at all times the aim and that by no means adjustments regardless of who’s right here,” Davis mentioned. “We now have a fantastic probability now. We now have a whole lot of expertise. Now it is time to put all the pieces in place. »
Like everybody apart from the 2 former Packers, Lazard and Cobb, Davis is attempting to construct belief with Rodgers and make the most of a “nice” alternative by studying his audible hand indicators on the line of scrimmage and securing passes thrown into tight home windows.
“Allen and Randall have that rapport with Aaron, so we’ve to catch up,” Davis mentioned. “There are a whole lot of totally different indicators and a whole lot of issues he can do. We’re getting there. It may be actually good for us as soon as all of us determine that out, and we will play quick.
To date, one of the best quarterback Davis has ever performed with was Ryan Tannehill.
With all due respect, taking part in with a four-time MVP is totally different.
“It is like having one other coach there, particularly within the group assembly rooms,” Davis mentioned. “Nothing is just too small for him to educate. The safety of the ball, our place, he at all times proves us proper. He is ready to dissect it loads faster than most and see issues others possibly do not see.
When Davis knocked out cornerback DJ Reed to catch a floating two-point conversion cross from Rodgers throughout a purple zone interval, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett ran down for a chest celebration.
Davis regarded just like the sort of red-zone menace the Jets had been hoping for however but to get as he had 66 catches for 1,028 yards and 6 touchdowns in 22 quarterback dysfunction video games.
“Because of Corey,” Saleh mentioned, “utilizing his huge physique to protect DJ to drop the ball to catch it.”
Davis added, “Aaron put it the place solely I can get it, little question.”
And, subsequently, much less doubt than earlier than that Davis has a spot on these Jets.
