Antonio Cromartie to Jets: Latest Contract Details, Comments and Reaction

On the heels of a Pro Bowl season with the Arizona Cardinals, cornerback Antonio Cromartie has cashed in by signing a free-agent contract Thursday with the New York Jets.

ESPN's Adam Schefter first had the news. Kimberley A. Martin of Newsday confirmed that report. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported it's a four-year deal with a base salary of $32 million.   

The Jets went on to confirm the deal on their website on March 18.

The 30-year-old defensive back spent the 2014 campaign in Arizona after four years with the New York Jets. He and Patrick Peterson formed one of the NFL's best cornerback duos.

Doug Farrar of Sports Illustrated weighed in on the combination in New York:

Cromartie also weighed on on playing with Revis:

Cromartie was named a Pro Bowler for the third straight season and the fourth time overall. He nabbed three interceptions, recovered a fumble for a touchdown and amassed 52 tackles, which was his highest total since 2008.

Per ESPN.com's Josh Weinfuss, the former Florida State standout felt as though he took a big leap forward this past season:

Although Cromartie was coming off two Pro Bowl seasons with the Jets, he seemingly became a more complete player in Arizona, as he developed into a solid run defender in addition to his excellence as a cover guy.

After such a strong year, Cromartie admitted that re-signing with the Cards was an attractive option for him, according to Weinfuss:

"

I would definitely like to return. But at the end of the day, that's not my decision. The only thing I can control is what I can do on the football field and that's it. ... I have to let my playing and my film talk for itself. That's the only thing I can do. If I'm here, it's a blessing. If I'm not, God has another door to open up for me.

"

At the same time, Cromartie made it clear that he was prepared to explore other avenues as well, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com:

One of those options was a potential return to the Jets. Not only did Cromartie have a great deal of success with Gang Green, but former Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles becoming head coach in New York added another connection.

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, Cromartie didn't hide his intrigue about a potential Jets reunion: "My door is always open to returning. Everybody knows I didn't want to leave. I'm going to keep my door open and see what happens."

Cromartie was a great fit in Arizona's defense, but with Bowles out of the picture, perhaps he felt the time was right for him to jump ship.

Cromartie is taking a risk to some degree, but he is undoubtedly talented enough to succeed in his new surroundings, especially with the talent that's going to surround him in New York. 

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