I did not know of the extra 5M cap hit. I'll look it up after this. I've only ever heard $20M. My logic was that at that measely $20M, there would be another viable option on the table. #3, The Pats could just sign him to the contract for $20M that season, and make him the highest paid corner in the league as he would deserve if it got to that point (instead of an average of the top 5). This is why they probably added the extra $5M in the language to prevent this from happening. Unless... NE was willing to pay him $25M to do the same... I joke, as obviously 25M is too high, but it's not too far off to not think about it - I guess that's what I'm getting at. And, especially if you consider it a two year deal, and the factors we've already discussed. Either way, cheers, here's to having a healthy Revis on NE for a long time!
Yeah, the cash is 20 million, but the actual salary cap hit is 25 million.
In comparison for this season, the cash is 12 million, but the salary cap hit is actually only 7 million.
It's just the way they structured the deal, so judging by those 2 factors we can assume the following:
1) The Patriots get away with only having a 7m dollar cap hit for this season with one of the best CBs in the game. They then have the option of reaching a longer term deal in the offseason, as long as both parties are open and willing to that. Not too shabby of a trial version with a 10m dollar bonus, and a 12 m dollar total worth, but only a 7m dollar cap hit.
2) Revis protects himself from any possibility of being franchised next year by throwing in a 2nd yr on the deal that both parties know won't be played out under any circumstances. This also coincides with the feeling that they'll be exploring the possibility of extending him OR one or both of the parties will decide that they'd rather step aside, where he'd then be a free agent on the open market.
The only thing that I am concerned about is the fact that the CB market is rising, and looks to be continuing to rise once Patrick Peterson signs his extension. The recent deals of Haden, Sherman, Talib, DRC, and Revis have really raised the bar on the worth of the CB market--especially after such a down year last season. I'd also be concerned with the fact that both parties are somewhat stubborn and kind of set in their ways, but as many have pointed out--Belichick may see things a bit differently, especially if/when Revis proves his worth for 2014. I think he'll be looking for something in the 14m+ range though, myself, so only time will tell what happens.