Jets' cornerback Darrelle Revis seeks classy ending, does he deserve it?
Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports

Darrelle Revis may be the best player in New York Jets history, but at the end of this season, it seems like his tenure’s conclusion is inevitable.

There’s no argument, at least for me anyway, that Darrelle Revis is clearly the best player in the history of the New York Jets.

When the Jets went to the podium in 2007 and with the 14th overall selection selected him, destiny was realized.

A seven-time Pro Bowler, AFC Defensive Player of the Year in 2009, the accolades are incredible. Plus during that time, Revis earned the moniker, “Revis Island.”

Although this season in his second year, in his second stint (more about that later), he has fallen off the face of the Earth. Now, “Revis Island” is a vacation resort more so than a deserted island.

He hasn’t recorded an interception at all this season, which would be the first time that has happened since 2010. This season Revis has allowed a 67% completion percentage when he’s targeted. Also, factor in a 100+ QBR when quarterbacks look his way.

Thus, the Jets are left with a challenging decision. The Jets could cut Revis after the season and save around $9 million with $6 million in dead money, according to Spotrac.com.

If Revis’ camp is willing to bring that cap number down perhaps an amicable agreement can be reached. But, apparently, the ball is in the Jets court, not Revis’.

“Would I love to be here? Yes,” Revis said in a locker-room interview with the Post. “Will I be back? That’s a great question. My thing would be this: Do the New York Jets want to treat my situation with class or no class? With me being one of the best players in the history of this franchise, do they want me to retire here or not retire here?”

That’s where we get the gist of this article. Revis proposed that the Jets should treat him with class.



An interesting notion for a player that has gone out of his way to run the Jets through the dirt. Multiple times during his tenure he has held the Jets for ransom in the midst of his contract.

The heart of this was during the 2010 offseason. Revis was in the middle of a six-year contract (in the fourth year). Revis ended up missing all of the offseason workouts, all of the preseason games, and just like Cinderella by the stoke of midnight (a few days prior to their season opener) he re-signed.

Another four years and $32m dollars added to the deal. Of course, all of this added to HBO’s Hard Knock series that documented the negotiations.

The Jets have bent backward to meet his insane contract demands on too many occasions. Revis essentially forced his way out in a trade to Tampa and now he is testing the Jets mettle by saying will they treat him with class? Does he even deserve it?

I’m not so sure. Revis has regressed and should the Jets simply put him in the retirement home while he’s still on the roster to again accept his demands? What can Revis still provide at this point?

I’d love to believe that his falling from grace was the result of offseason wrist surgery and other injuries he sustained. But unfortunately I’m not that naïve, the veil has been lifted, Revis is old.

He’s not the same player he used to be, but he wants to continue to be paid for what he used to do, not what he does.

“I’ve been one of the best cornerbacks to ever play this game,” Revis said, according to the NY Post. “I’ve done a lot of things in this league that a lot of guys currently playing are chasing now. I’ve impacted the game in a way where it was like, ‘Hey, he doesn’t give up any catches to the No. 1 [receiver].’ I set a precedent.”

That precedent is confirmed, but the NFL is “a what can you do for me now business.”

The Jets have more than paid for what he has done and now it’s time for Revis to come to the realization. Either retire, renegotiate and take a mentor role, or move on.

Revis said it himself, “the decision is simple, it’s black and white, it’s not complicated.” He’s right, I just laid it out, conform for the first time in your career, or finally face the reaper.”

The Jets are facing an impending purge on the roster this offseason and Revis’ name is at the top of the list. The ax is sharpening on the grindstone.

He burned a lot of bridges when he spurned a Jets return for a trip to Foxboro. He got that elusive Super Bowl championship and then returned to Gotham, but not for cheap, a five-year $70m dollar contract with $39 million fully guaranteed.

Now, he must realize that he can’t hold the Jets hostage this time. In every other instance, Revis used his trump card, hey if you won’t pay me, someone else will. Now the Jets are his last and only hope, no one else is going to pay.

If and when Revis is released, he’ll remain the best player the franchise has seen, but the classiest way Revis will leave is into the sunset, that’s the only way.

If not, then the Jets will release the guillotine on their former All-Pro cornerback.

People call me Boy Green for my unwavering dedication to all things New York Jets. I work at The Score 1260 in Syracuse and I'm extremely passionate about sports. I aspire to continue my rise through the business and hopefully I'll end up working for the New York Jets in some capacity.