Corey Davis survives offseason of ‘uncertainty’ after Jets’ flurry of receiver signings

Corey Davis went from savior to spared from the chopping block within the span of a fast Jets’ huge receiver overhaul.

Two years in the past, when the Jets have been determined to improve over Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder, Davis signed a three-year, $37.5 million free-agent contract to be their unquestioned No. 1 goal.

However continued additions — drafting Garrett Wilson in 2022 and signing Allen Lazard, Randall Cobb and Mecole Hardman this offseason — plus Davis’ non-guaranteed $10.5 million wage left his roster spot in jeopardy.

And but there was Davis catching a cross in the long run zone Saturday.

There he was once more on a go-route Sunday as Aaron Rodgers uncorked a deep ball.

“All of that was out of my management,” Davis stated. “It was form of a protracted offseason. There was some extent the place there was uncertainty. Clearly with all of the strikes occurring, it’s exhausting to not suppose that. It’s nonetheless a enterprise, however I’m comfortable to be right here. Glad they saved me.”

Head coach Robert Saleh’s behind-the-scenes message via all of the hypothesis was “to not fear, it’s all going to work out for the higher,” Davis stated.

There’s a college of thought that the 6-foot-3 Davis may not be completely within the clear but as a result of he and the 6-foot-5 Lazard provide overlapping talent units as bodily receivers.

However Davis, who skipped most voluntary OTAs within the spring, isn’t counting on competitors for motivation when he already has loads.

“That fireplace isn’t not going wherever, whether or not I’m the [No.] 1, 2 or 3,” Davis stated. “We’ve bought lots of expertise in that room — lots of dudes who convey completely different stuff to the desk. I’m simply attempting to play my function as greatest I can and lead these younger boys the very best I can.”

Davis has at the least one new advocate within the Jets’ constructing: Move-game coordinator Todd Downing was the Titans’ tight ends coach in 2020, when Davis set all his profession highs — 65 catches for 984 yards and 5 touchdowns with Tennessee — main into his free company.

“Tremendous Bowl is all the time the purpose and that by no means adjustments regardless of who’s in right here,” Davis stated. “We’ve bought an important probability now. We’ve bought lots of expertise. It’s a matter of placing all of it collectively now.”

Like everybody apart from the 2 former Packers, Lazard and Cobb, Davis is attempting to construct belief with Rodgers and reap the benefits of an “superior” alternative by studying his hand-signal audibles on the line of scrimmage and securing passes thrown into tight home windows.

“Allen and Randall have that rapport with Aaron, so we’ve bought to catch up,” Davis stated. “There are lots of completely different indicators and lots of issues he can do. We’re getting there. It’s going to be actually useful for us as soon as all of us get that down, and we’re capable of play quick.”

Till now, the very best in-his-prime quarterback that Davis ever performed with was Ryan Tannehill.

With all due respect, enjoying with a four-time MVP is completely different.

“It’s like having one other coach on the market, particularly within the workforce assembly rooms,” Davis stated. “Nothing is simply too small for him to educate. Ball safety, our stance, he’s all the time getting us proper. He is ready to dissect it so much faster than most and see issues that others might not see.”

When Davis boxed out cornerback D.J. Reed to catch a side-arm floating two-point conversion cross from Rodgers throughout a red-zone interval, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett ran downfield for a chest-bump celebration.

Davis appeared just like the form of red-zone risk that the Jets hoped for however haven’t but gotten as he totaled 66 catches for 1,028 yards and 6 touchdowns via 22 video games of quarterback dysfunction.

“Credit score to Corey,” Saleh stated, “utilizing his massive physique to defend off D.J. to convey the ball right down to catch it.”

Added Davis, “Aaron put it the place solely I can get it, little doubt.”

And, so, much less doubt than earlier than that Davis has a spot on these Jets.