REPORT: Patriots Trying to Extend Darrelle Revis
 It appears the Patriots may be trying to make sure Darrelle Revis sticks around for the foreseeable future. (USA TODAY Images) |
Since arriving in New England cornerback Darrelle Revis' work ethic and his performance on the field have seemingly been a perfect fit with Bill Belichick and the Patriots' defensive system.
Now it appears Belichick may be trying to make sure Revis remains a part of it for the foreseeable future.
According to Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, the Patriots have already started trying to extend Revis' two-year contract.
"What I'm hearing from the Patriots is that Revis has been so good so far that they are privately already starting to talk about extending his contract," Cole said to Bleacher Report's Adam Lefkoe via Boston.com. "The Patriots like what they see so much — they think they see the next Ty Law and that shutdown cover corner to really get their defense going — that they'd like to extend him out. Robert Kraft, the owner of the team, has pulled Darrelle Revis aside and started to talk to him to see if they can get a long term deal worked out."
Revis originally signed a two year deal worth $32 million shortly after losing Aqib Talib to the Broncos in free agency, but the second-year option was massive (a $12.5 million roster bonus) and would leave New England in a difficult position from a salary cap perspective. So extending him makes both financial sense and would give them a player who essentially gives them an incredible asset on the defensive side of the football.
So far the veteran appears to be enjoying himself here in New England, having also talked very positively about his relationship with Belichick. We already know how much better Tom Brady makes this offense and Revis essentially provides a similar presence on the defensive side of the football. Having him now working with Belichick certainly seems like a terrific pairing and hopefully - if they can get something done - it will be one that lasts for a long time.
"You know, Coach Belichick is very open about football. It’s football talk. He’s very open about it. You can go to him about anything," said Revis last week. "You can ask him about anything. We’re just trying to get ready. We’re just trying to get ready and get prepared. Anything that’s best for the team, that’s the best position that’s going to put us in a position to win. That’s all we try to do: football talk. We talk all the time about what’s the best position for the team for us to win."
And locking Revis up for the long-haul would certainly make winning a little easier.
UPDATE Wednesday 7:05pm:
Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald Tweeted a bit ago and refuted the report:
Source refutes the report that the Patriots and Revis have engaged in contract extension negotiations.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) August 5, 2014Cole's report had said that Kraft "has pulled Darrelle Revis aside and started to talk to him to see if they can get a long term deal worked out." It's possible that while no official negotiations may have begun between the two sides, it sounds like Kraft may have simply tried to get a feel for what it may take to get a deal done in order to keep him in a Patriots uniform.
