Corey Davis focused on Jets, not old team Titans

Corey Davis wants to do more for Zach Wilson and more for the Jets after the investment they made in him and the things they gave him that Tennessee wouldn’t.

The Jets signed Davis to a three-year, $28.5 million contract and made him their No. 1 receiver. His teammates also voted Davis a captain.

The 26-year-old doesn’t take any of this lightly and he expects more from himself, especially with the offense struggling mightily.

"Yes, sir, no question," Davis said. "I do hold myself to a higher standard. Understanding that we are a different team. We’re a younger team. I know these boys are kind of leaning on me a little bit more than in my past.

"That’s something that I want. That’s something that I’m ready for. We just got to do a better job. I got to do a better job of helping these guys out."

Doing that against his former team Sunday at MetLife Stadium probably would be satisfying for Davis, even if he’s downplaying his first game against the Titans

Tennessee drafted Davis fifth overall in 2017. But he never rose to No. 1 receiver status. A.J. Brown has been the Titans’ go-to guy the past two seasons.

Davis caught 207 passes for 2,851 yards and 11 touchdowns for the Titans. His best season was last year after they chose not to pick up his fifth-year option: 65 catches, 984 yards and five scores in 14 games.

He said it was a "pretty easy" decision to leave Tennessee. Davis also had little choice. He said, "No, sir" when he was asked if they ever made an effort to re-sign him in free agency, and admitted it stung.

"A little bit," Davis said. "I’m not going to lie to you. A little bit. God doesn’t make mistakes. I’m extremely happy to be here."

Davis went on to say he "didn’t take it too hard" and that he’s not to go into this game looking for redemption.

"Honestly, not really," he said. "It’s a big week for us. That’s really all I’m focused on. I’m not focused on me being there, was there, whatever it was. It’s a big week for us and the boys, so we got to handle business. We’re all locked in and ready."

The Jets are 0-3 and haven’t scored a touchdown in two games. Their only two on the season were caught by Davis in Week 1. He had five catches for 97 yards and the two scores in Carolina. In the two games since, Davis has seven grabs for 49 yards.

Davis said he’s being defended differently than he was with Tennessee and facing more double-teams. But he still has to be able to get open and make plays.

"It has been a little bit different here," Davis said. "Obviously I’m the main focus point. But we got to find ways, which the coaches do, just to create space for me, get me the ball, move me around. We got other guys who can do really good things as well."

The return of slot receiver Jamison Crowder could take some of the attention away from Davis.

But Davis also has chastised himself for not coming up with a couple of well-thrown passes from Wilson the last two weeks that could have changed the tone of the games. One led to an interception and the other a field goal try that was negated by a delay of game warning.

"I just got to get back to work and trust who I am," Davis said. "My confidence isn’t going to go anywhere. I know who I am. I know I’m a Wideout 1. I just got to keep working."