Report: Darrelle Revis Can’t Be Franchise-Tagged By Patriots After 2014 Season

The New England Patriots’ original agreement with Darrelle Revis looked too good to be true.

It appeared the Patriots had signed the free-agent cornerback to a one-year deal, and they could franchise Revis to lock him up for 2015. The Patriots can’t franchise Revis, however, a source told FOX Sports’ Mike Garafolo, confirming earlier reports about Revis’ contract.

[tweet https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/445606832808013824 align=center]

Revis signed a two-year deal worth $32 million, but the second year is an option. The deal essentially is a one-year contract worth $12 million, but to save the Patriots cap room, Revis’ salary is spread over two years ($7 million cap hit in 2014, $5 million in 2015). It would be costly ($20 million) to keep Revis for the second year.

If the Patriots hope to keep Revis in 2015, they’ll likely need to agree to a contract extension or re-sign him in free agency after declining his option for 2015. Revis will have a $5 million cap hit on the Patriots’ books in 2015 whether he’s back or not.

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