Todd Davis resigned with the Denver Broncos on a three-year, $15 million deal this week. He had interest from multiple teams, but it was Denver that he wanted to sign with. He met with the media on Thursday to talk about his new contract and where he hopes to go from here.
“I like to say I’m not really supposed to be here,” Davis said of his path in the NFL. “I feel like I am, but as far as my circumstances in the past, that has proven that a guy like me is not supposed to make it. Just for the Broncos to have that much faith in me and for my coaches and teammates to want me back, to give me this three-year deal really feels amazing. It really feels like I’ve accomplished one of my goals, and I just want to keep working, keep furthering myself and keep getting better.”
As an undrafted free agent out of Sacramento State, Davis first signed with the New Orleans Saints in 2014. He was released that year during the season, but the Broncos quickly picked him up off waivers and the rest was history.
He had a limited role on the team until Danny Trevathan left in free agency after the 2015 season. Since then, he has developed into a stout gap-destroying run stopper totaling 179 combined tackles and 1.5 sacks in two seasons in that role.
There was doubt that Davis would return to the team as fellow inside linebacker Corey Nelson had already moved on with a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. Davis remained patient, hoping the Broncos would come through and they did.
“I wanted to be here,” Davis said of testing free agency. “You say test the market, but you know where your heart is. My heart was definitely with the Broncos. When everything came to be and this deal came across the table, I think it was just exactly what we wanted. I think it was perfect timing because I wanted to be here anyway. It worked out perfectly.”
The patience paid off as the Broncos came back to Davis with a contract offer he felt comfortable with and was able to stick with the team that gave him that second chance way back in 2014.
“There were quite a few teams that expressed interest,” Davis said of the process. “I felt like the Broncos was home for me though. I have had some negotiations go back and forth with a couple of teams, but the Broncos were my go-to and where I really wanted to be, so I think it was a perfect fit.”
Now that he is a Bronco still, the question predictably went towards Case Keenum and the optimism heading into the 2018 regular season.
“I think it’s great for us,” Davis said of the Keenum signing. “I feel like that gives us the assurance that he is going to be our guy moving forward. I think that also puts a little bit more pressure on us. We’ve played great in the past, but now that we have a solid quarterback it’s really on us to step up and do our jobs so that he can continue to be great.”
With 2017 in rear view mirror, Davis didn’t worry about his wording. He basically said the quarterback position was woeful and he is excited about potentially playing opposite of a competent quarterback in 2018.
Trevor Siemian was traded to the Minnesota Vikings, while Paxton Lynch remains - for now - as the backup to Keenum. Even if the Broncos draft a rookie in the top end of the first round, it is unlikely they will supplant Keenum for this season.
The Broncos have their quarterback and the defense is clearly excited to carry less of the load in games this season.