The NFL's new league year officially started Wednesday afternoon, and with it a slew of roster moves became official across the league.
That included the Saints' five free agent signings, but also two key departures. The team addressed the most significant of those, LB Demario Davis to the Jets, with a pair of statements.
Here's what they said:
Saints GM Mickey Loomis
"On behalf of the New Orleans Saints, we are grateful for the contributions of Demario Davis to our football team. Demario gave everything from both a performance and leadership perspective to this team for the last eight years, and for that we are all extremely grateful. This past season, Demario had a great impact on both the growth of our defense with the implementation of a new scheme and playing an important role in the development of many young players on a promising defense. Although we are going in different directions at this time, Demario will always be looked at as one of the most impactful players to wear the Black and Gold. We wish him and his family great success as he continues his career."
Saints team owner Gayle Benson
"When Demario Davis first joined the New Orleans Saints in 2018, not only did he help our defense reach new heights, but his dedication to greatness and leadership resulted in him being voted by teammates as a captain immediately, becoming a fabric of our organization. His outstanding character and commitment in the community to several important causes made a significant impact in New Orleans, with him being named our team's Man of the Year three times in a six-season period and being selected as the 2021 Bart Starr Award winner. Demario, his wife, Tamela, and their six children will always be a part of our Saints family and we wish Demario continued success in the next chapter of his playing career."
Davis will be heading to the Jets for the third separate time in his career. He was a third round pick of the Jets in 2012, and also signed there as a free agent in 2017. The next season he landed with the Saints to begin an incredibly impactful 8-year run, which included 131 starts, 954 tackles, 31.5 sacks, 78 TFLs, 5 forced fumbles, 4 fumble recoveries and 3 interceptions. He was named All Pro five times (2019-'23) and twice landed in the Pro Bowl (2022 and '23) while providing important leadership through multiple head coaching changes. In his past two seasons in New Orleans he set new career highs in tackles (136 and 143), in his age 35 and 36 seasons.
Davis himself shared a long message thanking the city and the team as he departs. Click here to see the full post.
"When I first came to New Orleans, we were the hottest team in the league," Davis wrote. "There was momentum, confidence, and championship belief. After that era, we spent four years in the valley. In those seasons, my mission became clear: help keep the ship steady through difficult times. Keep the standard high. Keep the faith strong. Keep pouring into the locker room, the defense, the culture, and the city. Leadership is not only about guiding people when things are rolling. Often, it is about steadiness when things get hard.
"Now, as I look at this team, I believe it is headed in the right direction — and headed there quickly. There is strong leadership, real momentum, and a promising future ahead. For me, that means my mission here is complete. It is time for me to step off the ship and move into the next assignment."
The Saints didn't wait long to sign a replacement linebacker, turning to another familiar name in Kaden Elliss, a former Saints draft pick who spent the past three seasons with the Falcons. They also signed RB Travis Etienne, G David Edwards, TE Noah Fant and P Ryan Wright. The Saints also re-signed DT John Ridgeway to a 2-year deal, sent former punter Kai Kroeger to the Texans via trade, and saw CB Alontae Taylor depart for the Titans. All of those deals and moves were announced Wednesday afternoon.
The team is expected to officially introduce their five new additions in the coming days, and will likely continue to make some lower-end additions prior to the draft in April, where they currently hold eight picks, including No. 8 and 42 overall.
