Darrelle Revis’ time in New England was short, but the “Patriot Way” appears to have made a lasting impact on the cornerback.
Revis returned to the New York Jets in the offseason after winning Super Bowl XLIX with the Patriots, but it wasn’t because of issues in New England. In fact, NFL Media reporter Albert Breer’s sources paint an entirely different picture.
“So with the Jets and Patriots meeting Sunday, Revis has, again, switched sides in this heated rivalry — something that wasn’t necessarily easy for him to do,” Breer wrote Friday on NFL.com. “Back in March, Revis was very amenable to the idea of staying in Foxboro. ‘Darrelle loved playing for (Bill) Belichick,’ said one source with knowledge of Revis’ mindset. He liked, in particular, the way the Patriots coach challenged him intellectually, and saw the business-like culture was a fit for him.”
However, Revis had a deep relationship with the Jets, and they were willing to offer him the most money, according to Breer.
“On the other hand, Revis felt connected to the Jets, since the organization had made such a huge investment in him personally over the years (starting with the draft-day trade-up), provided him with a chance to become a Namath-like figure in its lore, and sits in the shadow of New York City, a place he truly loves,” Breer wrote. “In the end, if the money was close between the Jets and 30 other clubs, it was always going to be the Jets.
“If the cash was close between the Patriots and 30 other clubs, he’d have picked the Patriots. If the Pats and Jets were close? Anyone’s guess. But it wasn’t close.”
Revis had offers for $16 million-per-year before the 2014 season, but he decided to take $4 million less to sign with the Patriots, according to Breer. Technically, there was the potential for a second year in his original deal, but the Patriots would’ve had to pay a hefty price to pick up the $20 million option. Instead, both sides built in protections for the second season.
“When the Patriots signed Revis, the team wanted a second year on the deal for cap purposes, so the player’s camp asked that a roster bonus be built into in that year to force the club to cut him in time for the start of free agency,” Breer wrote. “The team insisted it be an option bonus. Why? Because with an option bonus, the Patriots would be in line to take home a compensatory pick. With a roster bonus, they’d get nothing. Pretty smart, and it’ll probably give the Patriots an extra third-rounder.”
Who won this decision? Only time will tell. But in the meantime, the rivals will square off Sunday in a battle for first place in the AFC East.
Thumbnail photo via Matthew Emmons/USA TODAY Sports Images
