The reunion story in New York has taken another big turn as a former veteran defender, who first kicked off an NFL career with the club, returns to rejoin the franchise with unfinished business. This addition brings instant experience, toughness, and someone who believes the franchise can change its long-standing storyline.
However, this return is not only about nostalgia. It is about belief in a new direction. With a fresh coaching voice and a locker room searching for identity, the veteran linebacker says he did not need convincing before signing on. He thinks that something real is being built in New York
Demario Davis says joining the New York Jets was a no-brainer because of Aaron Glenn
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Demario Davis celebrates after a big play (Getty Images/Steph Chambers)
There were reports in March 2026 that veteran linebacker Demario Davis had signed a 2-year contract with the New York Jets, totaling $22M with $15M guaranteed. The contract also included a signing bonus of $7.5M, marking the third time Davis has signed with the Jets.
This is truly a full-circle moment for Davis, as he was originally selected by the Jets in 2012 and played with them until after the 2015 season before joining the New Orleans Saints. After briefly returning to the Jets in 2017, Davis has become one of the most respected linebackers in the league and has now returned to the building where his NFL career began.
And according to Davis, the decision barely required any thought.
“Once my agents let me know the Jets were an option, it was a no-brainer. I didn’t even need a conversation with him to get on board, to see what he’s building here with the culture. There’s just a ton of excitement.”
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: New Jets LB Demario Davis says it was a no-brainer to sign with New York because he believes Aaron Glenn is building a winning culture.
“Once my agents let me know the Jets were an option, it was a no-brainer. I didn’t even need a conversation with him to get… pic.twitter.com/Irg6JKaK17
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 16, 2026
The ‘him’ Davis referred to is new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. The two share a long football history. Their paths crossed multiple organisations over the years, building mutual respect that made the reunion easier.
For Davis, Glenn’s vision is the real attraction. The linebacker believes the Jets are constructing a locker-room culture capable of surprising the league.
“Leaving here, I felt like the mission, personally, was a little incomplete. But getting a chance to step back into what’s being built — I’m super excited about that.”
Experience is exactly what the Jets want from him. Despite being one of the league’s oldest defenders, Davis remains highly productive. During the 2025 season with the Saints, he recorded a career-high 143 total tackles and started all 17 games, according to league statistics.
That durability is rare for a player approaching his late 30s. It is also why the Jets see him as more than just an emotional signing. They want a tone-setter for a defence that struggled during the 2025 campaign.
And Davis is not hiding his ultimate goal. Winning a Super Bowl with the Jets sits at the top of his list.
The franchise has not reached the playoffs in 15 straight seasons, the longest absence in the NFL. That streak has turned the organization into one of the league’s biggest rebuilding stories.
The 37-year-old believes the combination of veteran leadership and Glenn’s culture shift could finally change that trajectory.
For the linebacker who started it all in New York, this return is not about revisiting the past. It is about finishing the job he once began.