Davis shatters expectations at 37. Discover why the Saints' financial strategy and defensive stability demand a legendary extension for their veteran linebacker.
As we head into the 2026 offseason, the Saints face a pivotal decision. Davis, now 37, is an unrestricted free agent after a 2025 season where he didn't just meet expectations, he shattered them with a career-high 143 total tackles.
Extending Davis isn’t just a sentimental move, it’s a mathematical and tactical necessity. Here is why the Saints must—and likely will—project an extension for their legendary linebacker.
1. The Production is Undeniable#
NFL history is littered with linebackers who hit a wall at 33 or 34. Demario Davis is rewriting that history. In 2025, he played all 17 games, finishing tied for the 10th-most tackles in the NFL.
- Durability: He has played 14 NFL seasons and has only missed two games in his entire career.
- Efficiency: Even as his "speed" should theoretically decline, his diagnostic ability has sharpened, allowing him to lead the team in stops for the eighth consecutive year.
2. The "Dead Cap" Logic#
The Saints’ unique "kick the can" financial strategy actually makes it cheaper to keep Davis than to let him walk.
- The Void Year Problem: Because of previous restructures, Davis is currently scheduled to leave behind $14.3 million in dead cap if his contract is allowed to void on March 10, 2026.
- The Extension Solution: By signing him to a new 1- or 2-year deal before that date, Mickey Loomis can prevent that $14.3M from hitting the books all at once. An extension allows the Saints to spread that "dead" money into future years, effectively lowering his 2026 cap hit to a manageable figure while keeping a Pro Bowl talent on the field.
Projected Contract: The "Legacy" Deal#
Based on market trends and Davis’s stated desire to return for a 15th season, here is what a projected extension looks like:
Duration: 1 Year (with 2 additional void years)
Total Value: $9.5M – $10.
Money: $7.5M (Fully guaranteed at signing)
Cap Impact: ~$4M – $5.5M (compared to $14.3M dead cap if he leaves)
3. Stability for a Young Offense#
With the Saints officially moving into the Tyler Shough era at quarterback, the team cannot afford a defensive collapse. A rookie or bridge QB needs a defense that can get off the field and provide a "security blanket." Davis is the architect of that defense. His leadership ensures that young pieces like Pete Werner and Kool-Aid McKinstry have a veteran "coach on the field" to guide the transition.
The Verdict#
Demario Davis said it best himself this January: "In 14 years, contracts have always worked themselves out." For the Saints, letting Davis walk would mean paying $14 million for him to play for someone else. By extending him, they save cap space, keep their defensive identity intact, and allow one of the greatest Saints in history to finish his career where he belongs—in the Superdome.