New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis has not publicly voiced his displeasure with the two years that remain on his $46 million extension from 2010, but he also hasn't been willing to guarantee his attendance when the team opens training camp on in Cortland, N.Y., on July 26.
Though a third holdout remains a distinct possibility, the four-time Pro Bowl player said Thursday he wants to retire with the Jets and that the team is aware of those intentions.
"I want to retire here," Revis told Jenny Vrentas of The Star-Ledger. "I think (general manager) Mike (Tannenbaum) knows that. I think Rex (Ryan) knows that. (The Jets) drafted me, they gave me a chance, so yeah, I want to be here and never play for another organization again. If they feel that, if Mike feels that I'm that type of person to be here, then they will compensate me. If not, then it's the business of it."
After holding out of 2010 training camp to get his current contract, labeled a "Band Aid" deal even though it has paid out $32.5 million over the past 21 months, Revis will earn $13.5 million over the next two seasons and is no longer the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL.
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha's $60 million contract surpassed Revis' deal last August, and Jets teammate Antonio Cromartie will earn $3 million more than Revis over the next two seasons.
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Given how willing Revis has been to miss training camp time, first as a rookie (Revis did not sign his rookie contract until Aug. 16, 2007) and again in 2010, it would be a surprise if the two sides hashed things out before July 26. Revis has a large war chest and could dig in for another prolonged holdout, but the team has considerable leverage.
Revis is under contract for two seasons and, as part of his 2010 extension, any holdout by Revis would trigger three seasons (at $3 million base salaries each year) at the end of a contract that would otherwise void if he's on the Jets' roster one day after the 2013 Super Bowl. (The Jets could not use the Franchise/Transition tag on Revis, either.)
Revis' comments make it pretty clear that even he's aware that, ultimately, the ball's in the Jets' court when it comes to an extension.
"I could come here every day and make a hassle, 'I want to get paid', but if they don't want to do that -- if Mike doesn't want to do that -- then they don't want to do that," Revis said. "It might be that way. It might be they want to do it, but they've got to figure out the best situation to get it done."
