The New England Patriots gamble to bring in Darrelle Revis paid off in the form of a Super Bowl title. However, it remains to be seen if the cornerback is a long-term investment or simply a one-and-done player for the team. Revis is an expensive decision for the Patriots and one that needs to be determined relatively quickly. According to team president Jonathan Kraft, Revis is very much in the 2015 picture for the New England Patriots despite his contract issues.
Revis is not cheap next year. The cornerback as a $20 million option that is certainly not ideal to take on for New England. Kraft makes it clear that the option is simply a placeholder for the team and a contract for Revis is a priority as the offseason approaches.
"Hopefully both sides want to make a deal and we'll be able to get one done," Kraft said, via Mike Reiss of ESPNBoston.com. "He's been everything and more since he's been here," Kraft said. "Patriots fans knew what he was like on the field, but didn't know what he was like off it. Having worn green all those years and the blind emotion we all have towards the Jets, you have one perception from the man. And the man is very different than that. He's a great guy and he works hard. There is no over-ego to him and he's a great teammate. He's been a real pleasure to have him as part of the organization."
If Revis returns next year, it will not be under the $25 million salary cap charge he is planned to be. New England could simply release him into free agency and then signed the cornerback to a team-friendly deal. However, the issue with that is several other teams are looking at Revis as the cornerstone to a rebuilding defense. Rex Ryan has hinted at luring the cornerback to the Buffalo Bills. The two worked well together. The New York Jets and Todd Bowles would also like to see a return of Revis Island in 2015. If they offer more money, the Patriots could be out of the mix.
New England has some key decisions to make in free agency following the Super Bowl win. LeGarrette Blount is expected to return considering Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley are free agents in March. Devin McCourty could be out if Revis re-signs. Danny Amendola and Aaron Dobson could be out considering the productivity of Brandon LaFell and Julian Edelman. By the sound of Kraft, the Patriots will first determine the approach with Revis before making any other calls on players.
