Jets WR Corey Davis announces he's 'stepping away from the sport of football'

New York Jets wide receiver Corey Davis has announced his retirement from the NFL.

On Wednesday, Davis shared a statement to Instagram revealing the news. At just 28-years old, and preparing for a season with Aaron Rodgers as his quarterback, the revelation is as shocking as they come.

However, there’s more to life than football for the wide receiver, as Davis explained in his statement.

Veteran WR Corey Davis announced he is retiring from the NFL: pic.twitter.com/TObeNMTSVN

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2023

“For some time now I’ve been contemplating stepping away from the sport of football,” started the veteran wide receiver. “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 could have ever 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 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.”

Alas, Davis bursted onto the scene at Western Michigan, a key cog in some of the most impressive teams in the history of the program. Over four collegiate seasons, Davis amassed 332 catches, 5,285 receiving yards and 52 receiving touchdowns.

His collegiate success led to Davis being a premium prospect at the NFL level, and the Tennessee Titans made his dreams come true at the 2017 NFL Draft, where Davis was selected with the fifth overall pick at the event.

However, Davis would never reach the superstar heights the Titans envisioned for him over his four seasons with the franchise, whether it was due to their offensive scheme, or the uneven quarterback play he had to deal with. Either way, Davis never scored more than five touchdowns in a season for the Titans, and never accumulated 1,000 yards in a season.

Regardless, the Jets were believers that they could get the best out of the former Western Michigan wide receiver, and inked him to a three-year, $37.5 million contract in free agency. Unfortunately, Davis never blossomed in New York either, never playing more than ten games for New York in his two seasons there.

Over the course of his career, Davis totaled 267 receptions, 3,803 receiving yards and 17 receiving touchdowns in 75 games over six seasons.

While Corey Davis never became the superstar many thought he could be, he was more than serviceable for both the Jets and the Titans. As he moves in to the next phase of his life, the NFL world wishes him all the best.