Cornerback Darrelle Revis’ contract with the New England Patriots has been confirmed and the pro-bowler could stay with the team beyond one year. The contract does include a second-year option worth an astronomical $20 million.
Revis’ deal with the Patriots was first reported late Wednesday, just hours after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers decided to release him after the team failed to trade him. The Patriots signed him for one-year, $12 million in order to make up for losing Aqib Talib, who went with the Denver Broncos.
However, now that the contract has been confirmed by his agent, ESPN is reporting that the deal includes an option for the 2015 season worth $20 million. That number seems far too high and the Patriots aren’t likely to pick that up. If they don’t, Revis becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2015.
The option does help the Patriots, since they can now spread the $12 million salary out over two seasons, so they don’t have to take the single $12 million hit on the salary cap for 2014. They also won’t be able to put a franchise tag on Revis for 2015.
USA Today notes that the Revis got a $10 million signing bonus, $1.5 million base salary and $500,000 for per-game bonuses.
Revis had previously played for the Patriots’ rivals, the New York Jets, before joining the Bucs for 2013. Although the team had a rough four-win season, Revis was still a stand-out for the team and made the Pro Bowl. He made 50 tackles, had two interceptions and played in all 16 games.
image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
