Darrelle Revis' stint with the New York Jets came to an end because his play fell off a cliff, not due to his recent arrest.
Jets coach Todd Bowles told beat reporters Thursday morning that Revis' arrest had nothing to do with the decision to release the veteran corner.
Revis was charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor stemming from his alleged involvement in a physical altercation in Pittsburgh on Feb. 12.
Although the criminal charges didn't factor into the Jets' decision, Bowles said he was surprised by the charges levied against Revis.
"It was shocking," Bowles said. "I know the man, forget the football player, I know the man. I know he's a good character, a good guy. And sometimes you're put in situations that things happen and I don't really know what happen and who's at fault or anything like that, I just know the guy."
The reason he'll no longer be with the Jets was a combination of faltering play and price. Coming off a disastrous season, Revis was due to count $15.3 million against the salary cap. The Jets save $9 million in cap space by jettisoning the cornerback. Bowles said it was a business decision to let Revis go to free agency.
"I would say the business side of it, dollars and sense in the offseason, too, so that had a lot to do with it as well," Bowles said.
The 31-year-old cover corner lost a step and was repeatedly burned by receivers he would previously have locked on his island.
Bowles was asked Thursday if he thinks Revis can still play corner at a high level.
"I don't know," he replied, via the New York Daily News. "He probably can."
That's not a stirring endorsement from the man who coached Revis last season.
Bowles added that a switch to safety was discussed, but the Jets decided to cut ties instead of taking on that late-career high-cost project.
"Trying to project a guy from a corner to a safety with that kind of salary is tough," Bowles said.
After 10 NFL seasons, the defensive back must decide if he wants to continue his playing career or close Revis Island for good.
