Jan. 26, 2026, 9:45 a.m. CT

Heading into free agency, the New Orleans Saints face several important decisions regarding key veteran players. While choices are often clearer with veterans whose play is declining, they become far more difficult when dealing with players who continue to reach new heights. Pending free agent linebacker Demario Davis fits that description perfectly.

This past season, Davis posted a career-high 143 tackles (64 solo) in his 14th NFL season. At 37 years old, he continues to defy the aging curve for linebackers, maintaining a level of consistency and impact rarely seen at this stage of a career. With his sustained excellence late into his tenure, the conversation surrounding Davis becomes increasingly compelling.

Should Demario Davis return as a Saint in 2026? Pro Football Focus analyst Mason Cameron recently outlined the best landing spots for the 10 highest-graded defensive free agents, suggesting that Davis’ best option would be to return to Crescent City:

Despite having just turned 37 years old, Davis has indicated that he isn’t quite ready to hang up the cleats. His leadership and veteran knowledge would be valuable for any defense, and his play has even reached new heights, with his 88.9 PFF run-defense grade in 2025 standing as a new career high.  

Plenty of teams could use a veteran as savvy as Davis at the heart of their defense, but it makes the most sense for the Saints to retain him with an extension. Davis was an integral part of a New Orleans defense that ranked in the top 10 in EPA per play allowed and 12th in PFF overall grade (70.8). 

As Cameron noted, Davis remains one of the premier players at his position and a driving force behind the ascension of his team’s defense this past season. With no clear successor waiting in the wings, replacing him could prove to be one of the organization’s most difficult challenges for years to come. A high-IQ defender with a relentless edge who continues to produce well into his late thirties, retaining Davis would make complete sense. He has been the most foundational defensive piece of the past decade in New Orleans, and his value extends far beyond the stat sheet. Davis has already indicated he plans to play football in 2026. There’s a good argument for why he should do so with the Saints.

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