Demario Davis was a member of the New York Jets for five seasons to begin his NFL career. While he never reached All-Pro status as a player, the signs that he could become a special individual in the appropriate scheme were front and center.

That appropriate scheme turned out to be in New Orleans.

The Saints picked up Davis in 2018, and the linebacker has rewarded them with five All-Pro seasons (one First-Team All-Pro and four Second-Team All-Pros) and two Pro Bowl nods. More importantly, though, the 37-year-old firmly entrenched himself as the leader of the unit a while back.

New York’s ties with Davis go far beyond the linebacker spending time with the organization. As the Saints and Jets get set for a matchup on Sunday, New York’s head coach looks back on his former time in the Bayou and how important Davis was to his own career.

Jets prepare for old friend

Aaron Glenn was the Saints’ defensive backs coach well before he received the top job in New York. From 2016 to 2020, Glenn helped the Saints become one of the best defenses in football.

During that time, Glenn began to work with Davis consistently, and he knows just how special a player the linebacker is for New Orleans.

“He is probably one of the best leaders that I’ve ever been around,” Glenn said. “Emotionally, man, there are a number of things I can say about that player
because of how he carries himself. He’s a man of faith. I think he’s 37 years old playing that position, and you hardly ever see that. So, nothing but respect for him. I love the player, and I love what he brings to the table.”

Glenn went on to call Davis an “A1” player and person—one the Jets will have to account for on the offensive side of the ball on Sunday.

In 14 NFL seasons, Davis has recorded over 1,500 tackles, 44 sacks, and 60 passes defended. He has been one of the all-around great linebackers in the sport.

It isn’t the best matchup for an undrafted free agent on Sunday. The Jets are starting an undrafted free agent quarterback for the second-straight week, Brady Cook, in New Orleans.

That means it will be up to Cook to set protections and try to ready New Orleans’ complex defensive scheme in pre- and post-snap reads. So long as Davis is back there, that will remain a challenge for Cook, but it will also be a good test for New York’s offense in the final weeks of the season.

It’s a test that Aaron Glenn is excited to face against a former player, one for whom he has firm respect.