Florham Park, New Jersey (PSF) - As of Wednesday, New York Jets wide receiver Corey Davis has informed the team that he will be stepping away from the NFL. His retirement comes as a bit of a surprise given that he was due $10.5 million this season and is just 28 years old with no current injury status. He spent his first four seasons with the Tennessee Titans after they drafted him fifth overall in the 2017 NFL draft, then signed a three-year deal with the New York Jets where he played the past two seasons. The Jets have added him to the reserve/retired list, meaning that should Davis choose to return to football anytime this season, the final year of his contract, the Jets will have his rights.

This decision to walk away from the game came after Davis had been excused of team activities for personal reasons the past 10 days. According to Davis’s Instagram, this is a decision he had been “contemplating” for a while now. Here is his full statement posted to his personal Instagram regarding his decision:

"For some time now, I've been contemplating stepping away from the sport of football," Davis said. "This decision has not been easy. Although I am a deep person, I am a man of few words. I've been searching my heart for what to do and I feel that stepping away from the game is the best path for me at this time. I have more blessings than I ever could have imagined -- I have an amazing family, a beautiful wife and two healthy children that I look forward to spending more time with. I am truly grateful for all the opportunities that I have had and will continue to have on my journey. Thank you to my family and friends and the Jets organization for supporting me through this process."

Throughout much of this offseason, there had been some rumors of Davis being a cut candidate for the Jets when teams finalize their 53-man rosters. Considering the Jets’ additions at wide receiver in Allen Lazard, Mecole Hardman, and Randall Cobb, along with the bolstering of the run game with the addition of Dalvin Cook, Davis’s projected share of targets within the Jets offense became in question. Many wondered if his likely diminished role justified his contract, especially when he had not participated in any voluntary offseason programs or been a stand out in training camp. However, other reports have indicated that the Jets had no intention of moving on from Davis and that he was beloved by his teammates and coaches, especially for his presence in the locker room. 

Davis’s departure does leave the Jets’ wide receiver room fairly thin and in search of a proven WR3. This role will likely shift to slot receiver Mecole Hardman, but the Jets will likely look for additional depth behind him on Tuesday, August 29th, when rosters must be cut down to 53 spots. But regardless of the situation this puts the Jets in, the most important part of thai situation is that Davis has a great retirement and continues to excel in his journey of life beyond football. Good luck and farewell, Corey.