FOXBORO — Carlton Davis III still calls Tampa home, but the Patriots cornerback will be returning to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday for the first time since being traded by the Buccaneers last March.
Davis was selected by the Bucs in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft and won a Super Bowl with the organization in 2020. He signed a three-year contract extension with the Buccaneers in 2022 and was traded to the Lions two years later.
“At the time, I was in disbelief, and I didn’t see it coming. My agent didn’t see it coming, so it was definitely a surprise for me,” Davis said. “And I had talked to the GM (Jason Licht). During the playoffs, I remember talking to him, and he was telling me, like, how well I had been playing. It was after we beat the Eagles, and we kind of upset them in that wild card. And he was just kind of praising me, and then couple months later, I got traded. You just kind of get the gist of how this game can go. And how cutthroat it could be sometimes.”
Davis acknowledged that he was initially “salty” about getting traded.
But he’s put a positive spin the deal and where it’s taken him since.
“I got a lot of love for Tampa and what it’s done for my family, the organization, and everything that I was able to accomplish there,” Davis said. “And then even moving forward, everything I did there kind of set me up for being traded to Detroit, which I was a part of a great organization and another historical team. That season was one of the best seasons Detroit has ever had. And I got a chance to meet some and play with some great players. And then I got a chance to come here and to be a part of another great team, great organization and play with some great players. I’m always grateful for my journey and my time in each place, so I can never be too salty about playing winning football and being a part of great programs.”
Davis has started nine games this season. He has 32 tackles, three pass breakups and one QB hit after signing a three-year, $54 million contract in free agency.
Davis didn’t want to make his return to Tampa about him and said a win against the Buccaneers would mean a lot to the team. The Patriots have already beaten their three previous NFC South foes, the Panthers, Saints and Falcons.