ISLAND HOPPING MAD: All-Pro defensive back Darrelle Revis came out on the offensive, blaming Jets owner Woody Johnson (left) for recent trade rumors. “It starts from the top,” Revis said in an interview that aired last night. “It starts from Woody Johnson.” (
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Jets star cornerback Darrelle Revis sounds like he thinks owner Woody Johnson wants to ship him out of town.
In an interview with NFL Network that aired last night, Revis said he is not sure what is going on with rumors the Jets are open to trading him, but he knows if the team does decide to part ways with him, the decision is coming from the owner.
“It starts from the top,” Revis said. “It starts from Woody Johnson.”
Asked if he believes Johnson does not want to pay him what he wants in a long-term contract, Revis said, “That might be a situation. That might be something.”
These were Revis’ first comments since reports last month indicated Johnson is open to trading his best player rather than securing him long-term. Revis is scheduled to be a free agent after next season and is believed to be seeking a contract in the neighborhood of $100 million. He is currently training in Arizona, where he is rehabbing from knee surgery.
“I was speechless. I tweeted it out I was speechless,” Revis said about hearing the reports. “I was speechless because I didn’t get a phone call. I know it’s a business. Just call me — don’t have it lingering out there. I need answers and I’m not getting any. Just the fact that that was put out there instead of contacting your best player on the team. If that’s how you want to do business, then that’s fine.”
New GM John Idzik did call Revis a short time later.
“He was a straightforward guy,” Revis said. “He didn’t cut no corners. He just said he don’t know. He don’t know what’s going on … that didn’t come from him. Just from talking to him that one conversation, I respect him.”
Revis questioned the timing of the report, which broke the night before Idzik’s introductory press conference.
“It was, to me, kind of rude because it was John Idzik’s first day on the job,” Revis said.
Head coach Rex Ryan also called Revis. Ryan has made no secret of his belief that Revis is the best defensive player in football. It would be a crushing blow to the defensive-minded coach to lose Revis.
“Me and Rex got a cool relationship,” Revis said. “[The call] wasn’t really more so about being traded and things like that. It was other things like, ‘How’s the family? How you doing?’ I know Rex. He wants me to be here. Me and him both know it’s a business.”
But it won’t be Ryan’s decision.
“I’m sure he’ll have a say-so, but overall, no,” Revis said.
The Jets face a very tough decision on Revis. If they pay him what he wants, it could severely hinder their ability to make other moves in the next few years, but he is the best player on the team. The Jets and Revis, along with his agents, have battled through two contract holdouts already. If they trade him and the players they get in return do not pan out, the trade will haunt the franchise for years. If they wait until next offseason, he almost certainly will walk in free agency.
Revis said no one has given him an indication about his future.
“I’m a Jet until they tell me I’m not a Jet,” Revis said.
The 27-year-old perennial All-Pro repeated he wants to remain with the team, but understands it’s a business.
“If I do get traded, I’m not going to sit here and pout and cry, but I told them numerous times that I want to be there,” Revis said. “It’s up to them and management and what they want to do.”
brian.costello@nypost.com