Saints sign All-Pro LB Demario Davis to contract

All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis and the Saints agreed to a new contract.

It’s been a good weekend for the New Orleans Saints, who signed All-Pro linebacker Demario Davis to a new contract before spoiling Tom Brady’s debut with the Buccaneers.

Erin Andrews broke the news of Davis’ new contract during the game on Sunday, while Ian Rapoport of NFL Network expanded on the details.

Davis is reportedly getting $27 million over three years with $18.35 million guaranteed. If he makes the Pro Bowl in 2021, 2022 or 2023 he will also get a $500,000 bonus, per Rapoport.

The Saints want three more years from Demario Davis

The new deal between Davis and the New Orleans was signed on Saturday night. He went out on Sunday and reminded the Saints exactly why they wanted to lock him up with just one year remaining on his previous deal. The linebacker sacked Brady and had five tackles.

The Saints aren’t only enamored with Davis’ performance on the field.

“Obviously he’s one of our leaders. He’s a physical player. He runs well. And he’s found his nitch here too,” head coach Sean Payton said during his post-game press conference. “I’m proud of the role he’s taken not only as a linebacker but as a leader on this team. It’s one of the things that I feel like as a head coach you can never take for granted. The leadership in the locker room is fantastic.”

The contact will have an impact beyond just keeping Davis. The Saints were already tight on cap space and they just signed running back Alvin Kamara to a five-year, $75 million contract extension. Clearly, the number crunchers in New Orleans have a plan to carry all those contacts into the future. It’ll have to be a pretty slick plan.

New Orleans pulled away from the Buccaneers in the fourth quarter of the season opener, winning 34-23. Davis and company will look to build a winning streak next week against the Las Vegas Raiders.