Report: Patriots Agree to Contract with Darrelle Revis
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Just hours after being released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, free agent Cornerback Darrelle Revis has agreed to a 1 year, $12 million contract with the New England Patriots, according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
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CB Darrelle Revis and the New England Patriots have reached agreement on a one-year, $12 million deal, league sources told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2014
Revis is a 3 time All-Pro, 5 time Pro Bowler, and former Patriots nemesis dating back to his days with the rival New York Jets. Revis spent his first 6 season in New York after being selected in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft.
The Buccaneers released Revis in lieu of paying his $16 million contractual obligation this season. Revis was entering Year 2 of a 6 year deal with Tampa Bay, but unique circumstances in his contract allowed the Bucs to cut him without eating any of the money.
Revis tore his ACL in 2012 and was traded from New York to Tampa Bay that offseason. He’ll turn 29 years old in July.
The writing was on the wall in the days leading up to Wednesday that if and when Revis was released, the Patriots would be his destination. Now the Patriots employ one of the top defensive players in football, albeit on a 1 year “prove it” contract that gives both sides a full season to gauge mutual interest in a long term commitment.
Revis’ arrival more than makes up for the departure of Aqib Talib to the rival Broncos. The Patriots filled their hole in the secondary with a superior player on a far more favorable contract.
With Revis in the fold, expect the Patriots to accelerate efforts to either restructure or release Vince Wilfork from his contract (and $11 million cap hit) and continue to mine the free agent ranks for help on both sides of the ball.
