The NFL is more pass-oriented than ever before. As a result, the value of quality defensive backs has gone sky high. This brings us to the interesting case of New England Patriots cornerback Darrelle Revis.
Revis has been everything the Patriots could have wanted this season, but his contract situation makes his future with the team quite uncertain. You see, New England holds a team option for their shutdown corner in 2015. The only problem is that option would cost the Pats an enormous $25 million in salary cap space. Yikes.
It's in New England's best interest to work out a more manageable extension for the four-time All-Pro.
"I hear a lot from fans who are nervous about the Patriots losing Revis in the offseason because they'll nickel and dime him and eventually lose him to a higher bidder, like what happened with Wes Welker," Ben Volin of the Boston Globe wrote. "But in talking to Revis, his teammates and the people closest to him, the feeling is Revis Island will be making a more permanent landing in New England.
"It's widely assumed the Patriots will decline the option on him in March that would pay him $20 million in bonus and salary for 2015. But Revis looks like a good bet to stay in New England for the long haul."
The Patriots, with the offseason additions of Revis and fellow cornerback Brandon Browner, have designed their defense to shut down opposing pass attacks. Losing Revis, who would drum up significant interest on the open market, would be a big blow to one of the team's core strengths.
"Revis is technically under contract through 2015, but given that his cap number would be $25 million, I seems unlikely he'd play out the contract under those terms (note: the Patriots intentionally structured Revis' two-year deal as such, as it lowered his cap number significantly for the 2014 season)," ESPN's Field Yates wrote. "The Patriots have certainly loved having Revis around, and the veteran cornerback, by all accounts, has enjoyed his time in New England. But if the team is unable to come to terms on an extension for Revis, he immediately would become one of the most coveted players available. He changed the complexion of the Patriots' defense in 2014 and reestablished himself as one of the top defensive players in football."
Revis, 29, simply isn't replaceable. With all of the contract maneuvering Tom Brady has done over the years to provide New England with extra cap space, it's time for the franchise to open up their wallets for a must-have player.
