Asked earlier this week if he plans to remain with the Patriots beyond this season, when he figures to hit free agency, cornerback Darrelle Revis smiled and replied, “Ask Bill [Belichick].” It doesn’t seem as if the Pats head coach has weighed in on the subject since then – and if he did he likely wouldn’t say much – but owner Robert Kraft tells Jim Corbett of USA Today that he wants to see the standout cornerback stay in New England beyond 2014.
“He likes what he sees here. And I know we like having him here,” Kraft said. “We’ll just have to see if we can do some long-term business. That’s what we really want to do. Let’s get through the season and see what happens.”
Revis, who leads Patriots cornerbacks with a +6.6 grade this season, according to Pro Football Focus’ data (subscription required), has signed lucrative contracts in each of the last two seasons, though neither was necessarily designed to be a long-term pact. The cornerback’s deal with Tampa Bay was a year-to-year agreement with no prorated bonus money, allowing the team to cut him after just one season, while his current deal with the Pats will likely result in him hitting the open market again this winter. Having played for the Jets, Bucs, and Patriots since 2012, Revis could land on his fourth team in four years in 2015, though I expect he’ll strongly consider any offer the Pats make.
Revis technically remains under contract with New England through the 2015 season, but his deal includes a $12MM roster bonus for ’15, plus a $7.5MM base salary, with a total cap hit of $25MM. So even if the Pats manage to work out a new agreement with the 29-year-old, it would likely involve scrapping the second and final year of his current pact.
How can you say Revis hit the open market multiple times when he’s only been a free agent once. He was a jet for a while, got traded to the bucs and then the bucs cut him and he signed with the Pats.
Good point, was thinking of his extension with the Bucs, but you’re right that he wasn’t actually on the open market for that. Reworded the section to better explain it, thanks.
— Luke