Decisions, Decisions: What Should the Jets Do with Darrelle Revis?

Added by Justin O'Connell on January 31, 2013.

Should the Jets trade star cornerback Darrelle Revis? (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

As another offseason approaches, so does another contract dispute between Darrelle Revis and the New York Jets.

The two sides can never seem to come to an agreement without a long, drawn out battle, that is why the Jets might be looking to ship Revis out the door.  Revis is by far the best cornerback in the league and without him the Jets will surely take a hit, but in the bigger scheme of things does it make sense?

Revis is coming off ACL surgery and has two years left on his contract, but the Jets are not allowed to franchise him (due to a clause in his contract). If he goes into the last year of his contract he will most certainly test free agency. Once he hits the open market, Revis will most likely be leaving the Tri-State area for good and possibly to a AFC East rival; like the Miami Dolphins or New England Patriots.

After Nnamdi Asomugha signed his 5-year, $60 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, all cornerbacks may have lost out. Asomugha has not lived up to the contract and now many GMs are skeptical to hand out that kind of money.

Revis is looking for Mario Williams type money, which is pretty much quarterback money ($14-$18 million a year).

With the new CBA, teams have to watch how much they spend because the salary cap is slightly over $120 million and spending that much on a cornerback can really limit their options on signing free agents. Combining Revis’ contract with Antonio Cromartie’s’ would take up one sixth of the Jets limit, according to ESPNnewyork.com’s Rich Cimini. Spending that money kind of money might not be worth it when they have Cromartie and Kyle Wilson for another two years for far less, both of whom proved they could shut down their assignments for the majority of the season. The Jets pass defense finished 2nd in the league.

Keeping Revis would give the Jets possibly the best secondary in the National Football League. They would be able to confidently cover their opponent’s top three receivers. Knowing they do not have any true pass rushers they will need to get a lot of coverage sacks and having these three corners can allow for just that. The Jets defensive line is on the rise and with a great secondary they could cover the holes left in their linebacking position.

Trading Revis would not result in a abundance of draft picks nor would it help the Jets cap situation over the next two years. Although Revis has a tremendous reputation he is still coming off a serious injury and remains a question mark; this is probably the lowest his stock has been in his career. GMs are not going to trade a lot of their picks and then sign Revis to a deal where he is making $15 million a year. The best the Jets might get would be a second and fourth, or fifth round draft pack in the future. Is that really worth trading Revis for, knowing that it would not help the cap situation till three years later?

Not only would Rex Ryan be mad about trading Revis, as he is his best player, but the Jets fan base would riot. Revis is a fan favorite and gives Jet Nation some inspiration to attend games, as most know the Jets will probably not compete next season and having him will help fill seats. Mike Greenberg of ESPN radio, has started a campaign on Twitter, called #keeprevis, that has drawn in many fans.

This is a very unique situation and it will have to be handled very thoroughly and delicately if the Jets hope to make the right decision. If they do not sign Revis, they might be better off just keeping him until he hits free agency.