But Matt Patricia said Tuesday Davis remains in the team's long-term plans.
"I think J.D. is a cornerstone of what we’re trying to do and he’s in those big-picture plans of where we’re trying to go," Patricia said. "We’ll just make sure that we have the best season we can this year and go from there. J.D. is by far a solid, rock leader, everything-you-want-in-the program type of guy."
Davis' 2021 option would have cost the Lions about $10 million, a lot to pay for a linebacker who's largely underperformed his first three seasons. Last season, when Detroit hoped he'd make a jump, Davis was rated the fifth-worst player at his position by Pro Football Focus -- out of 99 qualifying players. His lack of speed has often left him exposed in coverage.
The other side to the conversation is this: Davis has been everything the Lions hoped for as a leader. He's a culture fit for Patricia and Bob Quinn, from the way he works in practice to the way he competes on Sundays. That comes at a premium in this regime. And he's an effective pass rusher in the right spots, an area of need for Detroit's defense.
It sounds like the Lions would like to bring him back after this season, but at a price point that better matches his production.
"From the contract standpoint of things, we made a decision that was best for the organization," Patricia said. "It’s certainly something that we talked to J.D. about, and Bob did a great job of communicating all of the stuff that was going on. Just trying to push forward through some uncertain times as we get into this season."
"There’s no doubt that J.D. is one of our strongest leaders on defense," Patricia said. "He’s a great player, he’s someone we continue to build around. From that aspect of it, he and I just talked more so about, this is a short-term conversation as far as whatever this contract situation is. And for me, it’s about long term. Really clean, easy conversation from that standpoint."
The Lions have added some new faces to the linebackers room this offseason in Jamie Collins and Reggie Ragland. And with 2019 second-round pick Jahlani Tavai emerging at middle linebacker, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Davis' snaps reduced this year. He saw a drop in action last year as well.
But it doesn't mean Detroit is prepared to move on from him altogether. If the two sides can come to an agreement on a contract for 2021 -- and assuming Quinn and Patricia are still calling the shots -- Davis will likely return.