from last season’s serious knee injury, Davis returned to action in Week 7. He retook his main role as personnel protector on punt team and was also a fixture on five other units in the kicking game.
That was until Week 15 when Davis saw his role decrease as he was removed from the kick return team. The veteran still made a splash play the following week in Denver, as he scored his first career touchdown, recovering a Marvin Mims fumble forced by Marte Mapu, in a win on Christmas Eve. He then tallied three tackles over the final two weeks of the season.
Free agency preview
What is his contract history? Beginning his career as an undrafted free agent in St. Louis, Davis was under a three-year contract with the team. He eventually resigned with the then Los Angeles Rams for two years. Hitting free agency in 2018, Davis signed a two-year deal with Jacksonville that was worth $5.25 million. He then came to New England on a one-year deal in 2020 and re-upped the following offseason on a two-year, $4.3 million deal. A free agent once again last March, Davis returned to the team on a $2.2 million deal for one season.
Which teams might be in the running? If Davis returns for his 12th NFL season, a reunion with the Los Angeles Rams organization could make sense. The Rams special teams unit ranked dead last in DVOA last season and could benefit from the veteran Davis in a young room. Other teams that ranked poorly on special teams included the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, and Indianapolis Colts.
Why should he be expected back? The Patriots will feature a first time special teams coordinator in 2024 while long time captain Matthew Slater likely seems headed towards retirement. New England could benefit from keeping a veteran in the room which Davis would provide.
Why should he be expected to leave? Time will tell how Jerod Mayo and special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer build up the unit, but they may opt for less pure specialists on the roster. If that’s the path they take, the 35-year old Davis could be someone they move on from, especially as his with his role already began to decline at the end of last season.
What is his projected free agency outcome? Based off of how Springer’s personnel lined up in Los Angeles, it seems like the Patriots will take the route of less pure specialists on the roster moving forward. That would likely leave Davis looking elsewhere. If he does not retire, he will probably be in store for another low-money one-year deal.
What do you think about Cody Davis heading into free agency? Will the Patriots try to keep him under new leadership? Or will his former spot on the roster go to somebody else? Please head down to the comment section to discuss.
