Why Does Darrelle Revis Not Have a Job?

  NFL Training Camp cuts are coming, and there are a few players on the market that will be picked up. But why does Darrelle Revis not have a job?

  Pat Leonard of the NY Daily News wrote this piece yesterday, and he makes a good point.  The NY Giants’ secondary is looking thin with injuries to Eli Apple and offseason signings not really panning out. However, the presence of Janoris Jankins and Landon Collins at safety make me think that the G-Men and Head Coach Ben McAdoo will pass on the aging corner.

  Revis is already making $6 million from the Jets in 2017 after just two seasons back in New York. Despite having a down year in 2016, Revis played in 15 games, and a year prior in 2015 he made the Pro Bowl in only 14 games.  Before that, every Patriots fan knows how instrumental he was to the Super Bowl 49 Champs as quite possibly the league’s best corner.

  Revis signed a 5-year, $68 million deal, with $39 million guaranteed back in March of 2015— now he sits at home with no job, collecting the $6 million he is owed on that contract. So why should he even try to get a job you ask?

  I think it comes down to pride. Revis was drafted 14th overall in the 2007 NFL draft, and was widely considered atop the best Cornerbacks in the league—Revis Island was not a destination getaway for any receiver for several seasons. Then Revis saw significant drop-off in his game. He suffered an ACL tear in Week 2 of the 2012 season, then was traded for a first-round pick (ended up being Sheldon Richardson) to Tampa along with a 4th-round pick (no one any one cares about in 2017).

  Revis saw a resurgence in his career in Florida, and was subsequently selected to his fourth Pro Bowl.  He signed in the offseason with the Jets’ archrival Patriots for $12 million guaranteed, and again made the Pro Bowl. I think Revis got fat and happy, suffered injuries, and the Jets got tired of it—they were ready to dump him like a guy getting back in the gym was ready to dump his overweight girlfriend. You know who you are.

  With the injury to Colts’ CB Vontae Davis (he will miss multiple weeks with a ‘signficant groin injury’) and the Cowboys’ and Steelers’ need for a boost in their secondary, there is a clear market for FA CBs. Joe Haden also has been cut, but he is currently making $11.2 million in 2017 and 2018, and has a potential out after the 2018 season with 2019 being just over $10 million—with minimal dead cap hits of $3.3 mil in ’17, $3.2 mil in ’18, and the new team would take on cap hits of $11.1/$11.2/$10.5M until Haden is a UFA in 2020.

  I would rather take a flyer on Revis who has made over $124 million over his 10 years in the NFL than take on Joe Haden’s contract. If I am an NFL GM, I think Revis would take a smaller, “prove it” deal under $8 million a year (considering he is already getting $6M guaranteed); The wise DB can mentor younger secondary members with a team such as Houston, Dallas, and I would even entertain him back in New England.

Written by David Chase