The New England Patriots could have kept cornerback Darrelle Revis for one more season. All they needed to do was shell out $20 million, which Revis apparently knew wasn’t in the cards.
“The number was too high,” Revis told reporters Wednesday.
Revis ultimately signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the New York Jets over the offseason after the Patriots declined to pick up his $20 million team option for the 2015 season. He’ll return to Gillette Stadium on Sunday when the undefeated Patriots host the surprisingly successful Jets.
“It’s a memory that I won’t ever forget. We had a great team,” Revis said of his lone season in New England, which ended with a Super Bowl XLIX win over the Seattle Seahawks. “It’s 2015 now. I’m here. All of that is behind me at this point. When I’m sitting down somewhere when I’m done, that’s a memory that I can always cherish.”
Revis harbors no ill will toward his former organization. The Patriots probably have no complaints, either — head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady both praised Revis on Wednesday — seeing as how the six-time Pro Bowl selection boosted New England’s defense last season. But Revis knows how passionate Patriots fans can be. And the fact is, he’s back to wearing enemy colors.
“I don’t think I would be welcomed back with open arms, I tell you that,” Revis said laughing. “But the fans, they love the Patriots, and I’m not in that color jersey. So we’ll see how it goes. But it’ll be fun.”
There’s clearly a mutual respect between Revis and the Patriots organization. It only grew last season when the two joined forces in pursuit of a championship.
Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images
