Is there a return to Revis Island in the Jets’ future?
Cornerback Darrelle Revis would “love” to come back to the Jets and to play for coach Rex Ryan again, according to a source. The Buccaneers are expected to either trade or release Revis by 4 p.m. Wednesday. If no trade is worked out, Revis will be a free agent.
The source emphasized Revis never wanted to leave New York and always said he wanted to be a Jet for the rest of his career. The Jets were unwilling to pay Revis the $16 million per year he was looking for and traded him to Tampa Bay last April.
The Jets opened up free agency very quietly, but bringing back Revis would be a major splash. Nevertheless, a potential battle could develop for Revis’ services between the Jets and the rival Patriots. New England lost top corner Aqib Talib to Denver and figures to be in the running for Revis. A possible union between Bill Belichick and Revis would make Ryan ill.
The Buccaneers sent the Jets a first-round pick in last year’s draft and a fourth-round pick in this year’s to acquire Revis, a five-time Pro Bowler. But Tampa has a new general manager and a new coach, and Revis is not a fit for coach Lovie Smith’s Tampa 2 defense.
There is no doubt Ryan would love to have Revis, one of his favorite players, return. The question is whether owner Woody Johnson and general manager John Idzik sign off on it. A source familiar with Johnson’s thinking said, “No way.”
Revis may become a more and more attractive option as the hours go by, after the Jets lost out on their top two cornerback targets. Vontae Davis, a player the Jets made a strong push for, re-signed with the Colts for four years and $39 million and Alterraun Verner signed a four-year $26.5 million deal with the Buccaneers.
The Jets need a top cornerback after releasing Antonio Cromartie on Sunday. A reunion with Cromartie is also possible at a lower price than he was scheduled to make.
Revis was a first-round pick of the Jets in 2007 and became the team’s best player. His skills were never questioned, but he fought with the team over his contract as a rookie and again in 2010, staging a holdout both times.
Revis, 28, suffered a season-ending knee injury in 2012, playing just two games in his final season with the Jets.
Johnson made it clear last year to GM candidates he wanted to trade Revis instead of paying him the massive contract he was looking for. Idzik made the move in April, and the Buccaneers signed him to a six-year, $96 million deal with no guaranteed money.
Would the Jets be willing to take on the $16 million salary now? It’s doubtful, but they could restructure the deal to give Revis guaranteed money and lower the salary cap hit.
The Browns are reportedly interested in trading for Revis, but it seems unlikely anyone will take that contract on. If Revis is a free agent, he probably will top out at $12 million per year.