In his first comments since a report claimed he was seeking more than $20 million per year in a new contract, Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis today vehemently denied that number but did state he expects to be the highest-paid corner in the NFL with a new contract by training camp.
“I don’t know where the $20 million came from,’’ Revis said. “It’s just false information. I’m not looking for $20 million a year. I never said that. I never told you (reporters) that.
“I’m sure it’s not going to be up in that area. That’s insane. It would be great. Who wouldn’t want $20 million? That would be lovely. I wish I could make $20 million a year, but that’s not going to happen. Let’s just bring it back to reality.’’
Asked if it’s important for him to be the highest-paid cornerback in the league, making at least the $15.1 million average that Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha (three-year, $45.3 million deal), Revis didn’t flinch.
“I think that is fair,’’ he said. “I have talked to coach (Rex) Ryan and (GM Mike) Tannenbaum and they believe I should be the highest paid player at my position. They understand that and I understand that.
“I don’t think anybody would want to settle for less if they were in my situation right now. It’s going to get done. This is family to me; the Jets are family to me and I trust them and respect them and I hope they would do the same.’’
Asked about the promise he said last week the Jets made to him that he would have a new contract by training camp, Revis said, “Those are not my words, those are the Jets’ words. They promised that they were going get it done before training camp.’’
Revis acknowledged the fact his agents, Neil Schwartz and Jonathan Feinsod, also represent two former Jets players, guard Pete Kendall and tight end Chris Baker, who left the Jets after ugly contract disputes claiming the Jets broke a promise.
“I don’t want it to get like that,’’ he said. “Hopefully we’ll work it out before training camp.’’
And if it isn’t? Will he hold out?
“I wish I could answer that question,’’ Revis said. “Right now I’m just focusing on being here at the OTAs. I told them I wasn’t going to hold out in OTAs, that I wanted to be here as one of the leaders on this team. As of right now, I’m not even thinking about (holding out in training camp). I’m focusing on trying to get to the Super Bowl.’’
Revis, who’s due to make $1 million this year, said the Jets sent over a proposal to his agents last week and they’re “digesting it.’’
“They sent a proposal over and we’ll look it over and go from there,’’ he said. “If everything is right and the numbers are right, I’ll sign on the dotted line. If not, we’ll have to negotiate more.
“I just want to make this as positive as I can,’’ Revis went on. “I don’t want it to get messy. I want to do it the right way and I think the Jets are trying to do that, too.’’
Revis did sound concerned about a perception of him being greedy after the false $20 million report, saying, “I don’t want to be looked at as that person. I’m not that type of guy.’’