SAN FRANCISCO — With free agency approaching, Demario Davis was non-committal about his future with the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday.

During interviews at the media center for Super Bowl LX, the star linebacker expressed his love for the city of New Orleans but reiterated that he is keeping his options open after eight years with the Saints.

“New Orleans is home for me,” Davis said. “… But the business has to play how the business plays out.”

Davis, 37, completed the final year of a two-year, $17.25 million contract this past season. He will be a free agent if he and the Saints don’t work out a new deal before March. If a new deal isn’t reached, his contract will void, leaving nearly $14.3 million in dead money on the Saints’ 2026 salary cap.

“The front office in New Orleans has always been amazing,” Davis said. “I’ve never felt the need to try to negotiate publicly. They’ve been a hundred percent professional, and I respect that. They talked about that they want me back and that means a lot to me. … What happens on the field and the business of the game will never impact who I am and how I show up.”

Davis has said repeatedly that he wants to finish his career with the Saints, who signed him as a free agent in 2018. He was less committal during an interview with Kay Adams on Fanduel TV last week, saying he was “coming back to the NFL” in 2026.

“How that plays out, we shall see,” Davis said, later adding, “I’m just trying to ride it out. I’m good with whatever happens.”

Davis is coming off one of the best seasons of his 14-year career. He recorded a career-high and team-leading 143 tackles, which tied for 10th in the NFL. He tied for the team lead with two forced fumbles and added six tackles for loss.

“Last season was incredible, man,” Davis said. “I got a chance to do all the things that I care about, be an elite linebacker, helped elevate the defense, serve the community and help elevate the game forward and move the game forward. We get a chance to play in Paris (in 2026), (and I) got a chance to be on that initial delegation, so moving our game forward. All those things mean the world to me, and those things won’t stop. Our work in the community will never stop in New Orleans.”

Saints general manager Mickey Loomis told reporters at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, last week that he wants Davis back in New Orleans.

“We love Demario,” Loomis said. “… I hope he’s back, but we’ll get through that.”

Davis will attend the NFL Honors show on Thursday night, where he is the Saints’ nominee for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award. It’s the third time Davis has been nominated for the honor, which recognizes players for their charitable endeavors in the community. Davis and wife Tamala’s Devoted Dreamers Foundation has become his primary off-field focus during his tenure in New Orleans. The organization works to improve the lives of local youth by helping them grow spiritually, mentally and physically. 

“New Orleans is home for me,” Davis said. “It’s an incredible city that has loved my family so well, and we love it back.”