There will be no smear campaign when it comes to Darrelle Revis and the New England Patriots.
Revis signed with the New York Jets over the offseason after winning a Super Bowl title in his lone season with New England. The All-Pro cornerback and the Patriots since have been amicable about going their separate ways, and it doesn’t appear that’s going to change anytime soon.
“Darrelle was exactly what we thought we were getting as a player, both on and off the field,” Patriots team president Jonathan Kraft said Sunday on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s pregame show. “He made contributions everywhere. He will always be a part of Patriots history. He was part of a Super Bowl-winning team and brought a lot to us.
“I think it was always understood that we would get to the end of last year and the way the contract was structured would lead to a discussion that gave each side options. Darrelle is one of those players who probably should be commended. He’s taken the business side of his career very seriously.”
The Patriots chose not to exercise Revis’ $20 million team option for the 2015 season despite his obvious impact on New England’s defense. Revis said earlier this week he wasn’t surprised by the Patriots’ decision, but Kraft said Sunday the sides at least talked about a long-term deal.
“There was a little bit of discussion,” Kraft said. “He’s on the record as saying that New York is home to him. There’s absolutely no hard feelings at all. We respect him as a player.”
Revis ultimately signed a five-year, $70 million contract with the Jets, who drafted him in the first round in 2007. It’s back to him and the Patriots being rivals, though clearly not without a lot of mutual respect.
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
