The Jets have informed cornerback Darrelle Revis of his impending release. Revis will become a free agent when the NFL's League Year commences on March 9.
"Darrelle Revis is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Jets uniform," said Jets owner Woody Johnson. "His combination of talent, preparation and instincts is rare and helped him become one of the most dominant players of his generation. I appreciate Darrelle's contributions to this organization and, wherever his career takes him, his home will always be here with the Jets."
Revis, who rejoined the Green & White in March of 2015, played in 29 games the past two seasons. He registered a career-high nine takeaways in 2015, leading the NFL with four fumble recoveries while finishing with five interceptions. Starting 14 games in 2016, Revis had one interception as the Jets finished tied for 28th in the takeaway department with 14.
"Darrelle is the consummate professional and one of the greatest to ever play the cornerback position," said head coach Todd Bowles.
Revis was selected No. 14 overall by the Jets in the 2007 NFL Draft. The Pittsburgh product had three interceptions his rookie year and then became a lethal force on the outside, earning Pro Bowl trips after each of the next four seasons. He was also named first-team All-Pro from 2009-2011.
During a historically dominant 2009 season, Revis recorded a career-high six interceptions in addition to a league-high 31 passes defended and held the likes of Randy Moss, Andre Johnson, Terrell Owens, Chad Johnson, Steve Smith and Roddy White all to under 40 yards receiving. Revis helped the Jets lead the NFL in pass defense and then added a pair of postseason interceptions as the team made a run to the AFC Championship Game.
A victim of his own success, Revis would be targeted less the next two seasons. Opposing quarterbacks stayed away from Revis Island in 2010, but Revis still recorded 10 PDs and the Jets advanced to the conference championship game a second consecutive year. After a four-interception campaign in 2011, Revis' 2012 season ended abruptly when he tore his ACL in a Week 3 contest at Miami.
On April 21, 2013, the Jets traded Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Revis played 16 contests for the Buccaneers and then signed with the Patriots for the 2014 year. He totaled two interceptions at each stop and helped the Pats to a Super Bowl XLIX victory over the Seattle Seahawks.
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Revis, who declared on Twitter that he was coming home in the spring of 2015, was a critical cog once again as the Jets improved their win total by six games. But the 10-win Jets narrowly missed out on a postseason trip in Bowles' first season and then the club finished 5-11 in 2016.
The 31-year-old Revis played eight seasons with the Jets and had 25 interceptions and 112 passes defended.
"When you're dealing with a player of Darrelle's caliber, these decisions are extremely hard to make," said general manager Mike Maccagnan. "We all have a great deal of respect for Darrelle and the significance of his time with the Jets cannot be overstated. He provided an example of how a pro should approach his craft and established his place in NFL history as one of the best at his position."
