Ex-Vikings Defender Heads to Jets

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Mar 13, 2025
Oct 6, 2024; Tottenham, ENG; New York Jets helmets are held by staff before the match against Minnesota Vikings at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images.

The New York Jets enjoyed him down the stretch of the 2024 regular season — so much so that they’ll try it again in 2025.

Ex-Vikings Defender Heads to Jets

Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Jamin Davis re-upped with the Jets on Thursday, a free-agent move that Davis will hope kick-starts his career.

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) reacts after an interception against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports.

FOX Sports Jordan Schultz tweeted, “Source: The Jets are re-signing LB Jamin Davis to a 1-year deal. The former Commanders’ first-round pick has 8 career sacks and finished last season with the Jets. Now, he gets to work under Aaron Glenn.”

Davis will join this Jets’ linebacker room:

  • Quincy Williams
  • Jamien Sherwood
  • Chazz Surratt
  • Zaire Barnes
  • Marcelino McCrary-Ball
  • Jamin Davis
  • Jimmy Ciarlo

Davis will vie for a roster spot this summer and might just make the cut.

The veteran defender participated in nine games for the Commanders and Vikings last season before joining New York in late December, tabulating 18 total tackles, including a sack, on 107 defensive snaps.

Sep 17, 2023; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (14) is tackled by Washington Commanders safety Kamren Curl (31) and linebacker Cody Barton (57) and linebacker Jamin Davis (52) in the fourth quarter at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

This is his playing resume to date:

  • Washington Commanders (2021–2024)
  • Green Bay Packers (2024)
  • Minnesota Vikings (2024)
  • New York Jets (2024-)

The Commanders pulled Davis from Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft — the same night that the Vikings scooped left tackle Christian Darrisaw from Virginia Tech — but the 26-year-old experienced a failure to launch in the nation’s capital, at least by a 1st-Rounder’s standards. He’s played in 54 career games while starting 36 and has banked 287 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 10 quarterback hits, and 8 sacks.

vikings
Nov 27, 2022; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders linebacker Jamin Davis (52) runs onto the field prior to the Commanders’ game against the Atlanta Falcons at FedExField. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports.

Here’s Davis’ Pro Football Focus resume to date:

  • 2021: 46.8
  • 2022: 62.9
  • 2023: 67.6
  • 2024: 51.1 (limited snaps)

So far this offseason, the Jets have re-signed linebacker Jamien Sherwood, safety Tony Adams, and cornerback Isaiah Oliver. Newcomers include quarterback Justin Fields, cornerback Brandon Stephens, safety Andre Cisco, pass rusher Rashad Weaver, and offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor. The franchise also hired new general manager Darren Mougey and onboarded head coach Aaron Glenn.

The Jets opted not to retain Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, and he’s dominating all discussions regarding the free-agent quarterback market right now because that’s what he does.

Dec 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore (2) is tackled by Minnesota linebacker J. Davis (57) in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.

Without Davis, the Vikings, too, could use an extra off-ball linebacker. Many expected Minnesota to re-sign Kamu Grugier-Hill. Or the purple team could call upon a defender from defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ past like Jerome Baker or Elandon Roberts.

Davis will turn 27 in December.

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Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His Vikings obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL. 

All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.