Report: Jets 'Won't Break Open The Piggy Bank' For Revis; Browns In Mix?
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Jets want to bring Darrelle Revis back into the fold. But there's a limit to how hard they'll push, according to Kristian Dyer of Metro New York.
Woody Johnson told reporters in December "I'd love for Darrelle to come back" -- opening himself up to tampering charges from the New England Patriots -- though the Jets owner and his new front office "won't break open the piggy bank" for a reunion with the All-Pro cornerback, a source told Dyer.
Revis will hit the open market at 4 p.m. Tuesday with New England reportedly passing on his $20-million option for 2015. The Super Bowl champions are still expected to make a run at re-signing him, with the Jets as their main competition and the Cleveland Browns reportedly also in the mix.
"Revis has value on and off the field; he's a perfect fit for (the Jets') defense," said Metro's source, who was described as someone close to the situation. "But he's 29 (years old) and while still an impact player, is he 'Revis Island'? He's still close to that, don't get me wrong. He will get paid like a top corner but this won't be a bidding war."
Revis was drafted by the Jets in the first round of the 2007 draft and in short order became the top corner in football. He wanted to be paid as such, and Revis, whose relationship with New York had been fractured due to multiple contract-related holdouts, was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013. He was cut following a strong season coming off ACL surgery and signed with the Patriots in 2014.
After winning his first Super Bowl ring last month, Revis said he'd love to stay with the Patriots, though it's unclear if they'll be able to afford him after reportedly re-signing free safety Devin McCourty for $47.5 million.
And that opens the door for what was unthinkable just months ago: Revis back in green and white.
"Darrelle would be open to the Jets," Metro's source said. "He never wanted to leave. And the team is planning accordingly."
The Jets had an opportunity to nab him last offseason, too. Then-general manager John Idzik passed on Revis against the wishes of Rex Ryan, a decision that ultimately backfired when the team was forced to start the season with Darrin Walls and Antonio Allen at cornerback. The position was dealt a fatal blow when 2013 first-round pick Dee Milliner suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in October.
New York now has a chance to hit the reset button under new general manager Mike Maccagnan and rookie head coach Todd Bowles, whose blitz-rich system, like Ryan's, depends on lockdown play against the pass.
This time Johnson will be "highly involved" in trying to bring Revis back, according to Metro.
"The interest is strong in Revis," Metro's source said. "If he can be brought back at market value without overspending, they will do it."
Revis played all 16 regular-season games for New England in 2014, recording 47 combined tackles, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and two interceptions. He added three tackles, a sack and an interception in the postseason.
Antonio Cromartie, the other half of the Jets' former vaunted cornerback tandem, is set to become a free agent and has also talked of a reunion with the team.
The Jets reportedly have more than $40 million in salary cap space to play with after last week's trade for Chicago wide receiver Brandon Marshall, which won't be made official until Tuesday afternoon.
"They will be disciplined but they won't be trigger shy," Metro's source said. "(Revis) will be among the top paid defensive players in the league but (the Jets) won't break open the piggy back for him."
The Browns are also interested in Revis, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Revis has ties to head coach Mike Pettine, who was New York's defensive coordinator from 2009-12.
