The New York Jets signed veteran linebacker Demario Davis to a two-year, $22 million contract with $15 million guaranteed, returning Davis to the Jets for a third stint.

Davis leaves New Orleans as one of the Saints’ most respected players, having led the team in tackles in every season of his eight-year tenure, including a career-high 143 stops last year.

Davis’s career has included stints with the Jets, Browns, and Saints, after being drafted by the Jets, underscoring a long association with the franchise.

Saints part with a franchise icon and add a high-profile punter to bolster special teams for the upcoming season, signaling a notable cap and roster move.

Styles is viewed as a potential long-term anchor for the Saints’ defense, drawing a parallel to his impact at Ohio State and fitting as a top-line defender if available at pick No. 8.

Etienne’s signing could shift the Saints’ draft board away from other running backs and narrow needs, potentially increasing the chance of selecting a top linebacker if Styles is available.

Davis’s departure creates a leadership void for the Saints, with no obvious immediate successor, though the team hopes to fill the role with input from Davis.

Davis was a symbolic and on-field leader in New Orleans, including taking over pregame leadership from Drew Brees after 2020 and serving as a defensive captain.

Replacing Davis’s leadership will be a major challenge for the Saints moving forward, alongside filling on-field production.

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The move is framed as bringing back a familiar leader to help the Jets navigate a rebuilding phase and pursue a return to competitiveness.

Reaction on social media praised the move for leadership and run defense, while noting potential gaps in pass coverage due to age.