Jets praise WR Corey Davis for his professionalism and as mentor
Corey Davis of the Jets makes a catch during the third quarter against the Bills at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 14, 2021. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Corey Davis laughed and then acknowledged that sometimes he feels overlooked — and then quickly shrugged it off.
Davis is the most accomplished Jetswideout, yet exciting young receivers Elijah Moore and Garrett Wilson are getting most of the attention. Davis is happy for them and secure in himself and his unquestioned role as the leader of this group.
“I do feel like I’m overlooked at times, but man we got G, we got E, dudes who can absolutely ball, man,” Davis told Newsday. “I don’t want to take anything away from them. They’re going to be a great duo, whatever they want to call it. They’re going to be great.
“I’m not hating, never any haterade or anything like that. None. Not at all. It makes it easier that they’re great men.”
That’s how the Jets view the 27-year-old Davis. Robert Saleh often praises Davis’ maturity and professionalism. Saleh said Davis “could be one of those divas,” but he’s not. He’s willing to do whatever the Jets ask of him.
The Jets have improved at all the skill positions since last season and could create mismatches against some defenses. They hope opposing teams overlook Davis, but they know that probably won’t be the case.
“When Corey steps on the field,” Saleh said, “every time he takes the field, he is a problem.”
Davis signed a three-year, $37.5 million contract in 2021 with the Jets and wanted to show he could be a No. 1 receiver. The former Titan played a career-low nine games because of injury. Davis caught only 34 passes for 492 yards.
He was frustrated and depressed after undergoing season-ending core muscle surgery in December. Something good came out of it, though. Davis said he finally was able to mourn the loss of his brother Titus, a former Jets practice player, who died from a rare form of kidney cancer in 2020.
“I feel great right now,” Davis said. “I just feel mentally locked in and prepared and in a healthy place.
“Last year, really having that be my first season with an injury, I didn’t know how to handle that. I was leaning on my wife a lot, I was leaning on God, a lot. He delivered me from a lot of anxiety and a lot of stress and a lot of depression. I’m very grateful to be in the position I’m in right now.”
Davis made some changes that he believes will make him a better a player. He stuck to a strict diet for the first time in his life and ran as much as he could during the offseason.
The sixth-year pro, who is still chasing his first 1,000-yard season, returned to the Jets lighter, faster and ready to erase what happened last season. Davis said he feels more prepared for a season than ever.
“You’re always chasing something,” Davis said. “It’s an always approaching, never arriving mentality. There’s always something that we have to get better at, something that I feel I got to get better at.”
It already has shown itself. Davis had a terrific training camp, winning many of his one-on-ones against Jets corners and made some great catches in practice. He also was a great model for Moore, a second-year receiver and Wilson, a rookie, to follow.
“You should see Corey out here every day,” quarterback Joe Flacco said. “When you put the film on, he’s running, he’s running, he’s running. So, he’s setting the example in that room, and I think that’s going to drive it.”
Saleh said, “If you’re a young guy looking for the right way to do it, you look at Corey.”
Davis relishes this role and appreciates how his teammates and coaches look at and to him.
“That means something to me. That means a lot to me,“ Davis said. “Just anyway I can mentor and help these guys, even if it’s one thing, I’m going to do that and I’m going to do that proudly. I’m never that type of guy, a diva or whatever. Whatever I can do to help the team I’m going to do it.”
Mosley’s deal restructured
The Jets restructured linebacker C.J. Mosley’s contract, converting nearly $15 million of his salary into a signing bonus and adding two voidable years to the deal, according to ESPN. It opens up close to $12 million in cap space this year.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
