Cornerback Darrell Revis has agreed to return to the New York Jets, according to his agents.
Revis played for the Jets from 2007 to 2012, making three All-Pro teams and establishing himself as the best corner in the league. His final season in New York ended abruptly, as he tore his ACL in the first month.
He also made headlines off the field, mainly due to contract issues. He staged two holdouts, including a bitter dispute in 2010 that lasted until the first week of the regular season. He ended up signing what was termed a "Band-Aid" contract, a bridge to a long-term deal -- but that never happened.
After the 2012, the relationship between the two sides turned nasty, prompting new GM John Idzik -- with the blessing of owner Woody Johnson -- to trade Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for first- and fourth-round picks. The Jets used to first rounder to select defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, one of their best players.
Revis signed a six-year, $96 million contract with the Bucs -- none of it guaranteed -- but he lasted only a year. He wasn't happy in Greg Schiano's zone-based defense, and he was released after one season, quickly signing with the New England Patriots.
At the time, Revis wanted to return to the Jets, according to sources, but his representatives didn't hear back from Idzik. That upset then-coach Rex Ryan, who lobbied hard for a Revis reunion.
Ryan and Idzik are gone. When the season ended, Johnson made it clear he was interested in Revis 2.0, telling reporters, "Darrelle is a great player. I'd love for Darrell to come back."
The Patriots filed a tampering charge with the league; it's still pending.
Johnson's new regime, GM Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles, made Revis a priority. There was a need (no healthy, starting-caliber corners on the roster) and more than enough cap space (roughly $40 million at the start of free agency).
Revis played for the Jets from 2007 to 2012, making three All-Pro teams and establishing himself as the best corner in the league. His final season in New York ended abruptly, as he tore his ACL in the first month.
He also made headlines off the field, mainly due to contract issues. He staged two holdouts, including a bitter dispute in 2010 that lasted until the first week of the regular season. He ended up signing what was termed a "Band-Aid" contract, a bridge to a long-term deal -- but that never happened.
After the 2012, the relationship between the two sides turned nasty, prompting new GM John Idzik -- with the blessing of owner Woody Johnson -- to trade Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for first- and fourth-round picks. The Jets used to first rounder to select defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, one of their best players.
Revis signed a six-year, $96 million contract with the Bucs -- none of it guaranteed -- but he lasted only a year. He wasn't happy in Greg Schiano's zone-based defense, and he was released after one season, quickly signing with the New England Patriots.
At the time, Revis wanted to return to the Jets, according to sources, but his representatives didn't hear back from Idzik. That upset then-coach Rex Ryan, who lobbied hard for a Revis reunion.
Ryan and Idzik are gone. When the season ended, Johnson made it clear he was interested in Revis 2.0, telling reporters, "Darrelle is a great player. I'd love for Darrell to come back."
The Patriots filed a tampering charge with the league; it's still pending.
Johnson's new regime, GM Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles, made Revis a priority. There was a need (no healthy, starting-caliber corners on the roster) and more than enough cap space (roughly $40 million at the start of free agency).
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