Davis retired just before the start of the 2023 season but has since decided to attempt a comeback. The Jets released him early in the offseason, allowing him to sign with any team willing to take a shot on him. The Bills are shockingly thin at wide receiver heading into the season, creating a need for extra depth at the position. Davis won’t be a fantasy-relevant option in Buffalo, but he could provide the team with a veteran presence as they attempt to figure out their rotation.

Confusingly, this is actually Davis’ necessary first step toward a comeback, one that could reportedly see him re-sign with the Jets. The news comes the same day the Jets leaked their intention to trade Allen Lazard, so perhaps there’s legs here. Still somehow only 29 years old, Davis could be a decent role-playing No. 3 wideout on the boundary.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh said earlier that Davis was at risk of missing Week 1 against the Bills but wouldn’t get into specifics. Now we know why. The former No. 5 overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft appears ready to call it quits after six seasons. Davis was selected by the Titans out of Western Michigan and joined the Jets in 2021. While he never lived up to his lofty draft capital, the veteran receiver posted a career-high 984 yards and five touchdowns in 2020 and was a solid WR2 for the Jets over two seasons. His retirement permanently elevates Allen Lazard to the Jets’ WR2 role and makes him a low-end WR3 option alongside teammate Aaron Rodgers.

Davis has missed significant time while on personal leave. Saleh said Davis could take as much time as he needed. That could mean the veteran won’t rejoin the Jets ahead of their season opener against Buffalo. In such a scenario, Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, and some combination of Randall Cobb and Mecole Hardman would start in three-receiver sets.