Demario Davis leaves Jets for Cleveland Browns and $8 million, source says
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson is brought down by New York Jets inside linebacker Demario Davis during the first half on Sunday Nov. 8, 2015. Credit: Lee S. Weissman
The Browns weren’t about to let Demario Davis leave without a deal.
Cleveland signed the free agent linebacker, formerly of the Jets, to a two-year, $8 million deal that includes $4 million guaranteed, a source told Newsday.
Davis’ meeting with the Browns on Monday was his first free-agent visit this offseason. Though other teams had shown interest, the Browns made sure he wouldn’t go elsewhere.
“Want to officially thank the @Browns for giving my family and I an opportunity to be a part of the future you are building,” Davis wrote on his verified Twitter account.
A former third-round pick of the Jets in 2012, Davis played in all 64 games in his four-year career and started every contest the past three seasons.
“Want to officially thank @woodyjohnson4 and the @nyjets for a great 1st 4 years in the NFL. My family and I will miss NY,” Davis tweeted.
Still, there were questions about his productivity and his future with the Jets once he began splitting reps with free-agent signee Erin Henderson in late November. But Davis, who is represented by agents Alan Herman and Dave Butz, no longer has to worry about splitting significant time.
The inside linebacker recorded 349 career tackles, 6 1⁄2 sacks, eight passes defensed and an interception with the Jets.
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