Darrelle Revis Contract Option Not Picked Up by Patriots: Details and Reaction

The New England Patriots have elected not to pick up superstar cornerback Darrelle Revis' $20 million contract option, which will make him a free agent.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the news Monday. 

Yahoo's Charles Robinson noted that the Patriots "will continue to negotiate with Darrelle Revis despite not picking up option. They are NOT done talking. They're still working it."

According to ProFootballTalk, Revis "will take less money than elsewhere to stay in New England," but it remains to be seen how much less he would consider.

Picking up Revis' option would have come at a steep cost to the Patriots. They would have owed Revis a $12.5 million roster bonus April 1, which would've brought his 2015 cap hit to $25 million, per Spotrac.com.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported on when teams could start talking to Revis:

Head coach Bill Belichick often parts ways with veteran players, and he doesn't seem to be holding Revis to a different standard; however, the possibility still exists that New England simply re-signs the cornerback to a longer-term deal.

Devin McCourty spoke to Mark Daniels of the Providence Journal, saying "I think if the Patriots get to a number where he's comfortable, he'll be back."

He went on to say he believed Revis would return, telling Daniels "I'm all for it. I think [Revis] will be back with us."

Revis is widely considered to be the NFL's best pure cover cornerback—perhaps the most valuable defensive backfield player in football. Provided he maintains his level of play, he has plenty of leverage to boost his market value.

At some point in the coming years, Revis' skill set will likely diminish, so the Pats and other prospective interested teams have to be mindful of that if they try to sign him to a multiyear deal.

As much of a tactical genius as Belichick has proved to be, losing such a huge contributor to New England's recent Super Bowl run would be a tough blow to overcome.

In order to remain with the Patriots and have perhaps his best chance of winning another championship, Revis may have to make good on the reported claim that he will accept a smaller paycheck. With one Lombardi Trophy already to his name, perhaps money won't be as much of a factor in his free agency decision.   

Whatever happens in free agency, all eyes will be on Revis as he ponders his next move. If he ultimately moves on from New England, the reigning champions will face an even greater challenge in defending football's most coveted hardware.