Saints GM Mickey Loomis Wants Demario Davis Back, But Free Agency Looms
MOBILE, Ala. - Demario Davis has been the heart and soul of the New Orleans Saints defense for years, and at 37, he’s still playing like a man with plenty left in the tank. But as the NFL offseason ramps up, Davis’ future in black and gold is suddenly uncertain - not because of performance, but because of business.
This week at the Senior Bowl, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis made it clear: he wants Davis back in New Orleans.
“Yeah, we love Demario,” Loomis said Wednesday. “I want him back. I hope he’s back, but we’ll get through that.”
That’s not just lip service. Davis is coming off a season where he posted a career-high in tackles - a remarkable feat for any linebacker, let alone one deep into his 30s. He’s still the emotional and vocal leader of the Saints’ defense, a player who sets the tone not just with his words, but with his play.
But the business side of the NFL doesn’t slow down for sentiment. Davis’ contract is set to void this offseason, and while he’s technically under contract until March, he’ll carry a hefty $14 million cap hit in 2025 if the Saints don’t work out a new deal. That figure is the result of years of contract restructures - a common cap-management tactic in New Orleans - but it now puts added pressure on both sides to find a number that works.
Davis recently appeared on Kay Adams’ show and made headlines when he said he was “coming back to the NFL,” but stopped short of committing to the Saints. “How that plays out, we shall see,” he said.
“I’m just trying to ride it out. I’m good with whatever happens.”
That’s not exactly a door-slam on New Orleans, but it’s not a guarantee either. Davis has long said he wants to finish his career with the Saints - the team that gave him a second act after early-career stops with the Jets and Browns. And given his leadership role and consistent production, it’s easy to see why the Saints would want to keep him around.
But this is where things get tricky. Davis is due a $6.5 million base salary in 2025, and while that’s not an outrageous number for a player of his caliber, the Saints are once again staring down a tight cap situation. They’ve made it work before - often pushing money down the road - but with Davis approaching 38 next season, the front office has to weigh short-term value against long-term flexibility.
The two sides last struck a deal in March 2024, agreeing to a two-year, $17.25 million extension that increased his guaranteed money and added a year to his existing deal. That move kept Davis in the fold and gave the Saints some cap relief at the time. But now, with that deal set to void, the clock is ticking.
Free agency kicks off in earnest on March 9, when teams can begin negotiating with pending free agents. That gives the Saints a narrow window to get something done if they want to avoid a bidding war or risk losing one of their most respected veterans.
For now, both sides are playing it cool. Davis isn’t pushing for a deal, and Loomis isn’t panicking.
But make no mistake - this is a pivotal decision for the Saints. Davis may be in the twilight of his career, but his impact on and off the field remains massive.
If New Orleans wants to stay competitive in a wide-open NFC South, keeping their defensive captain in the building could be a crucial first step.