Davis, the No. 19 pick in the 2021 draft, showed marked improvement over the past two seasons. But he still struggled with consistency, mixing game-changing plays with costly errors. In Week 6 against the Atlanta Falcons, he sealed a win with an interception in the final minute. But against the New England Patriots three weeks later, he cost Washington a 64-yard touchdown by failing to plug a lane on a blitz.
“He got the tough assignment having to cover a lot of really good backs, and he was competitive doing that. He really was,” Rivera said Monday. “And, again, the more he played, the better he seemed to get. Sure, he made some mistakes. But, man, he was really coming along, and it’s unfortunate.”
Last season, after receiving public criticism from former defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio, Davis finished with a team-high 104 tackles, plus three sacks, two fumble recoveries and a pass deflection. In 13 games this season, Davis totaled 89 tackles (eight for losses), three sacks, two forced fumbles and four pass deflections.
He also showed his versatility by moving to middle linebacker from his usual weakside linebacker role when Cody Barton missed four games with an ankle injury.
“It was more of a process of him developing and learning to do the things that it takes to be at this level,” Rivera added. “And he’s really taken a step each year. This year, I thought he took a really big step, especially working with Cody. I thought he and Cody developed a really good rapport. … The young man’s done a great job for us, and we’re really excited about who he was becoming as a football player.”
After the season, the Commanders have until May 2 to decide on Davis’s fifth-year contract option for 2025, which would include a projected salary of about $13.3 million that would be fully guaranteed once exercised.
Should the team decline the option, Davis would have one year left on his rookie contract, with a guaranteed salary of approximately $2.5 million.
In Davis’s absence, Washington probably will turn to veteran David Mayo to start alongside Barton for the remainder of the season. It could lead to increased playing time for Khaleke Hudson and Jabril Cox, who signed to the active roster in November.
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