The New England Patriots couldn't have been happy with the decision by Jets owner Woody Johnson to announce, during his season-ending press conference, his desire to see cornerback Darrelle Revis return to the NFL team with which he began his professional career this offseason.
While nothing ultimately came of it in terms of league discipline for Johnson, it may now be hindering the Patriots in their efforts to circumvent the $20 million salary - and $25 million cap hit - Revis is currently slated to make for next season.
As Tom Curran of Comcast Sporstnet New England notes, the Patriots are currently at an organizational standstill when it comes to team business - business like resigning priority free agents in safety Devin McCourty and kicker Stephen Gostkowski.
This may be due, at least in part, to Johnson's decision to voice his interest in reacquiring Revis.
"...isn't it ironic that the NFL has done and said nothing about Johnson's tampering? His comments clearly made it easier for Revis' camp to know categorically that the Jets were interested. That knowledge can certainly be seen as causing the Patriots a great deal of business uncertainty," Curran reasons.
With Revis all too aware that the Jets - and quite possibly the Bills, where Revis' ex-coach, Rex Ryan is now the head honcho - are more than willing to place a serious bid for his services, he may see no need to come to agreement on a new deal with the Pats.
Instead, he might view it as in his best interests to force a decision by the Pats - pay the exorbitant salary Revis is currently slated to make or cut him and risk losing him in free agency, where he can create a bidding war and set his own price.
