The New Orleans Saints cannot to afford to lose middle linebacker Demario Davis to free agency. Even at 37, he remains the emotional leader of the defense, a consistent leader and the standard setter in the locker room. Losing him this offseason could come at a steep cost for the team beyond just his production.
PFF’s Bradley Locker put together a list highlighting one free agent from every team that cannot afford to lose, with Davis representing the Saints as a cornerstone leader and defensive anchor they can’t replace. His impact is felt in every game, anchoring the defense with both skill and leadership.
“Even though Davis is one of the oldest linebackers in the league, he had a big say in that success. The 37-year-old was still a presence in the middle of New Orleans’ impressive defense, compiling an 80.3 PFF overall grade with an 88.9 PFF run-defense grade. Even though coverage is no longer Davis’ forte, he still held up solidly with a 68.3 PFF coverage mark.”
Demario Davis is still a critical piece of the Saints defense
Demario Davis had a spectacular season showing that age is just a number. He wasn’t just filling a spot or playing a limited role. Davis was one of the most productive linebackers in the league. Playing in all 17 games, Davis finished the 2025 campaign with a career high 143 tackles, six tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. He consistently delivered in key moments and remained the defensive anchor and leader on a Saints defense that leaned heavily on his experience.
The Saints exceeded expectations, transforming from an overlooked unit into a respectable, league average defense, and Davis was a critical reason why. As the season went on, his impact showed up not just on the stat sheet but in the confidence and cohesion of the entire defense.
Because the Saints outperformed expectations on defense, retaining him this offseason is critical, as the unit has the potential to become truly strong with a fully healthy Chase Young and the return of Cameron Jordan, along with other developing youth on the defense. Davis remains the cornerstone of the Saints defense, and his presence is vital for turning potential into sustained success.