In a chat with reporters on Thursday, Jets GM Mike Maccagnan defended the hefty contract that he gave to cornerback Darrelle Revis this offseason, as Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com writes. Maccagnan pointed to Champ Bailey as an example of a cornerback who played at an elite level in his later years, illustrating that Revis could be capable of doing the same.
“Champ was able to play at a very high level well into his 30s,” Maccagnan said. “I kind of see Darrelle as the same status. He’s playing at a very high level, and we thought he’d be able to play at that level for a number of years going forward, so we thought it was worth the financial investment we made.”
Here’s more from Maccagnan’s chat with the press
- When asked, Maccagnan wouldn’t guarantee cornerback Dee Milliner a spot on the opening-day roster. In was reported on Wednesday that Milliner has picked up trade interest from teams and the Jets, who have added three talented cornerbacks this offseason, don’t exactly need him. For his part, Cimini isn’t reading much into that and just sees that comment as GM-speak. The Jets, he writes, have no plans of trading the former first-round pick and they couldn’t get much of value for him anyway until he proves that he is healthy and productive.
- Maccagnan reiterated that he would like to extend Muhammad Wilkerson, who is entering the final year of his contract, but there is no timetable for a deal.
- Maccagnan said he had no problem throwing around big money for three cornerbacks (Revis, Antonio Cromartie, Buster Skrine) because he felt it was one of the strongest positions in free agency. At the same time, he explained made the Brandon Marshall trade, in part, because he didn’t like the value at the wide receiver position in free agency.