INDIANAPOLIS — The Jets are escaping from Revis Island.
The team informed legendary cornerback Darrelle Revis Tuesday night it would be releasing him when the new league year begins March 9.
The release ends a failed two-year reunion between the franchise and one of its greatest players. The Jets still owe Revis $6 million, which was guaranteed in the five-year deal he signed in 2015. If Revis signs with another team, though, the Jets would be off the hook for whatever he is paid by that team.
“Darrelle Revis is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Jets uniform,” said owner Woody Johnson in a statement. “His combination of talent, preparation and instincts is rare and helped him become one of the most dominant players of his generation. I appreciate Darrelle’s contributions to this organization and, wherever his career takes him, his home will always be here with the Jets.”
The decision to release Revis was “100 percent” a football decision, a source said. It had nothing to do with Revis’ recent arrest in Pittsburgh for his alleged role in a street fight. Revis is facing four felony charges in a case that is set to begin March 15 with a pre-trial hearing. The Jets also researched the incident and will not try to recoup any of the $6 million they still owe him, a source said, based on his contract and what they believe happened.
The Jets gain $9.3 million in salary-cap savings by cutting Revis. He was scheduled to earn $15.3 million this season. It continues their roster purge as they try to get younger and clear cap space to sign free agents. The team has cut two of its legends in one week, releasing Nick Mangold on Saturday.
The team selected Revis in the first round of the 2007 draft. He quickly became one of the league’s best cornerbacks, earning the nickname “Revis Island.” He has been to seven Pro Bowls and been first-team All-Pro four times and was a huge part of back-to-back runs to the AFC Championship game in 2009 and 2010.
“I can’t thank Woody Johnson and the entire Jets organization enough for taking a chance on me back in 2007,” Revis posted on his Twitter account. “I played some of my greatest football in green and white. Jet nation has always been behind me and [my] teammates. Without all of you, there would be no Revis Island. I love you New York!!!”
The other half of Revis’ Jets legacy was away from the field, at the bargaining table. Holdouts in 2007 and 2010 left a sour taste in the mouths of some fans. Revis the businessman was just as impressive as Revis the cornerback. He has made $118 million in his career.
The Jets traded Revis to the Buccaneers in 2013 in anticipation of another contract battle. He joined the Patriots a year later as a free agent and won the Super Bowl with the Jets’ biggest rival.
Revis returned to the Jets in 2015, signing a five-year, $70 million deal with $39 million guaranteed. He returned credibility to the franchise after a miserable 4-12 season in 2014. The fan favorite had a strong first year back with the Jets, with five interceptions and four fumble recoveries. He had a few stumbles in 2015, but his play slipped drastically in 2016. He admitted he reported to training camp out of shape and said his body was breaking down. He finished the year with one interception which came in the final game of the season.
There was talk about moving Revis to safety and asking him to take a pay cut, but the Jets opted to just cut him loose instead. The team is undergoing a massive rebuild and will look drastically different in 2017.
A source said Revis intends to keep playing. He will become a free agent when the Jets make his release official next week. The team must wait until then for salary-cap reasons.
Revis turns 32 in July. Between his age, diminishing play and his salary, this was an easy call for the rebuilding Jets. It was expected, but it is still jarring to see the team getting rid of a legend.
The move now leaves the Jets with a giant hole at cornerback, a position they could target in free agency, the draft or both.