From the beginning of Darrelle Revis’ contract squabble with the Jets, the All-Pro cornerback has maintained that the Jets promised him a new deal that would suit his stature as the best defensive player in the NFL.
Not so, Woody Johnson told ESPN in an interview that aired Tuesday.
“I don’t think he was promised anything, as far as I know,” Johnson said on “E:60.”
It’s easy to see why Revis is confused. Last week, at the beginning of training camp, GM Mike Tannenbaum said, “The two things that we’ve all agreed upon is that Darrelle has outplayed his contract and it needed to be addressed, and he has three years to go on his contract.”
And Rex Ryan, whenever he got a chance, made sure to mention that he thought Revis was the best defender in the NFL.
Johnson told ESPN that doesn’t matter.
Asked what promises were made to Revis after last season, when he was runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, Johnson replied. “I was not aware that he was told anything. I think that Mike said, ‘Well, we can extend … we’ll look at that. We’ll look at extending the contract.’
“I don’t think he was promised anything, as far as I know. And the wonderful thing about a contract is that verbals don’t mean anything because that’s the whole point of writing something down.
“So if somebody inadvertently said something — which I don’t think they did — it really has no merit.”
At offseason training in May, Revis first mentioned the promises he believes were made. They continue to be the key point in his negotiating stance, that he be the highest-paid player at his position, requiring at least the $15.1 million per season the Raiders owe Nmadi Asomugha.
“I think that is fair,’’ Revis said May 19. “I have talked to coach Ryan and Tannenbaum and they believe I should be the highest paid player at my position. They understand that and I understand that.”
Revis agent, Neil Schwartz, was the representative for Pete Kendall and Chris Baker, who both were let go by the Jets over contract situations. Schwartz earlier Tuesday disputed Johnson’s claim that he was not welcome at a sitdown the agent held with Tannenbaum on Friday, calling that “a blatant lie.”
Revis also held out for more than three weeks while negotiating his first NFL deal, the one which he’s trying to change now, the one that has three years and $21 million remaining.
“He has a contract that has three years left on that contract,” Johnson told ESPN. “(And) we are a country that runs on contracts.”