The New England Patriots are facing significant changes in their core special teams roster for the upcoming season. Notably, Matthew Slater announced his retirement at the end of the regular season, concluding a remarkable career. Additionally, Mack Wilson Sr. and Chris Board departed during NFL free agency, further depleting the team’s special teams talent. Today, Cody Davis joined the list of departures, announcing his retirement on social media.
Davis expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in his NFL journey through posts on both Instagram and X, officially declaring his retirement from professional football. He emphasized his excitement about drawing closer to his faith, spending more time with his family, exploring new avenues of service, and embarking on a new career path.
Davis, who played college football for Texas Tech, entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent signed by the St. Louis Rams. He quickly established himself as a key contributor on special teams, appearing in 11 games during his rookie season. Over his 12-year NFL career, Davis also had stints with the Jacksonville Jaguars before concluding his tenure with the New England Patriots.
During his time in New England, Davis primarily served as a special teams player, with minimal involvement in defensive snaps. However, he made a significant impact, notably scoring his only NFL touchdown last season on a fumble recovery that helped secure a victory against Denver.
After 146 NFL games, including postseason appearances, Davis accumulated 118 tackles, three fumble recoveries, two interceptions, and one touchdown. With Davis’s retirement, the New England Patriots’ special teams unit is set to undergo notable changes heading into the 2024 season.
