Darrelle Revis was stunned that general manager John Idzik did not dismiss trade rumors involving the star New York Jets cornerback on Idzik’s first day on the job. Now Revis is explaining why, and it’s clear he’s still irritated about it.
“I was speechless; I tweeted it out I was speechless,” Revis told NFL Network’s Andrea Kremer in an interview that airs Monday night. “I was speechless because I didn’t get a phone call. I know it’s a business, just call me, don’t have it lingering out there. I need answers and I’m not getting any.
Idzik’s noncommittal approach with Revis is in marked contrast to the way Revis has been treated by the Jets’ front office in the past.
“Just the fact that that was put out there instead of contacting your best player on the team. If that’s how you want to do business, then that’s fine,” Revis told NFL Network.
The network is continuing to follow Revis throughout his rehab from ACL surgery for a series called “Health of the Game.” The full show, which includes the above quote, airs at 7 p.m. ET.
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Angering the Jets’ best player on his first day in Florham Park probably wasn’t the way Idzik wanted to start out, but as of now it sounds like he and Revis haven’t exactly mended fences. Revis has always had a fraught relationship with the front office. He held out of camp twice when Mike Tannenbaum was GM as his contract was being negotiated.
Revis was under the impression that his most recent contract, signed during the 2010 “Hard Knocks” season, would be reworked after the first two years. He decided not to hold out last summer and tore his ACL in the third quarter of an overtime win in Miami in September. Antonio Cromartie played exceptionally well in Revis’ absence, but the Jets went 6-10 and owner Woody Johnson fired Tannenbaum.
Revis has a year remaining on his deal and there is some uncertainty –will he return as the best corner in the game or will he have lingering health issues? The Jets have the option of trying to get value on the market before his condition is fully known, or keep Revis on the team knowing he still wants a new contract.
The Jets are in a bit of a bind with salary cap issues and are expected to cut some veteran players before the start of free agency. Even with that, the Jets lack flexibility due in part to Mark Sanchez’s contract, which guarantees the quarterback more than $8 million for the coming season.