SATURDAY, 3:48pm: Davis’ deal is indeed a one-year accord worth $2.38MM, Mike Klis of 9News tweets. The 12th-year tight end receives $1.1MM in full guarantees, and Davis can earn up to $2.1MM more via incentives, per Klis. Despite disappearing from Denver’s offense down the stretch and in the playoffs, Davis presently resides as Washington’s highest-paid tight end.
THURSDAY, 4:22pm: The team has officially announced the signing.
THURSDAY, 11:05am: Free agent tight end Vernon Davis is headed home, having agreed to terms to sign with Washington, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (Twitter link). In addition to being a homecoming for the D.C. native, the deal also reunites Davis with former 49ers executive Scot McCloughan, who was San Francisco’s VP of player personnel when Davis was drafted.
[RELATED: Anquan Boldin visits Washington]
The sixth overall pick back in ’06, Davis averaged 50 catches per season during his first eight years in the NFL, racking up 53 total touchdowns and earning two Pro Bowl nods during that stint. However, he has slowed down in recent years, with inconsistent quarterback play, injuries, and his increasing age all playing a part in that decline.
Although Davis, traded from the 49ers to the Broncos midway through the 2015 campaign, didn’t have his best season last year, he still managed to catch 38 passes, including 20 after moving to Denver. In Washington, the team has a clear-cut No. 1 tight end in Jordan Reed, so Davis shouldn’t be relied upon as more than a complementary option as long as Reed stays healthy.
Washington has apparently been on the lookout for additional pass catchers to join Reed, DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, and Jamison Crowder as Kirk Cousins‘ top targets for 2016. In addition to reaching a deal with Davis, the team also brought in veteran wideout Anquan Boldin for a visit earlier this week.
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link), it’s a one-year contract.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I really wish you guys would stop with the political commentary by referring to only one NFL team by the city name and not the mascot.
It’s not like they’re overtly editorializing on the issue. They’ve made a decision that they’re comfortable with in terms of its’ application to their product(s), as we all have to with this issue in our day-to-day lives. It’s hardly “political commentary,” in my opinion.
It’s overt commentary. What are we supposed to infer when the story reads that Davis is leaving the Broncos for Washington? They are blatantly omitting the name “Redskins.” The omission is overt commentary that the mascot name is racist, which it is not. Its not like they are choosing to remain neutral on the issue or refrain from posting commentary from either side. It’s now a common tactic of the left to quash dissent by silencing those with whom they disagree. Not even progressive ESPN does this. It would not be as overt if they chose to refer to all teams by city instead of mascot, but they are basically throwing a giant middle finger at anyone who disagrees with their position. its pretty egregious and offensive to those of us who cherish free speech. I wonder if mlbtraderumors will start referring to Atlanta and Cleveland. I know a lot of people have stopped reading the site out of principle, which is a shame because the content is otherwise great.
This is hardly a First Amendment issue. And while I can understand both sides, it’s really not overt commentary, either. At the most, it’s subtle commentary, which also makes it unsafe to assume that the PFR team has taken a stance on the team name. Omitting the mascot name from articles is a way of really taking no stance on the issue, and erring on the side of caution as to not offend or violate the sensibilities of those who dislike the name, while also taking into consideration that there are those who care about the team and deserve to still have their team reported on in spite of the public opinion regarding the team’s mascot.
It’s a very fine line to walk, and an impossible one in which to placate everyone. I think the PFR team does a great job.
TL:DR “This above all; To thine own self be true.”
Wow just noticed! Unbelievable!!!!!
Aww… Are you offended that they’re offended?? Do you need a lollypop to feel better??
Davis looked a little uncomfortable in Denver, but one has to think he can still work the middle of the field fairly effectively. He would fit in well to the role that they were perhaps envisioning for Anquan Boldin when Boldin visited the team earlier this week.