Darrelle Revis Contract Update: Is the Star CB Beginning to Budge?

Critical questions every Jets fan has pondered for the last several months still lack concrete answers.

Will Darrelle Revis suit up for the New York Jets in 2010? Will he eventually get the 10-year, $160 million deal his agents are reportedly seeking? Would my wife think a Vinny Testaverde tattoo would be in bad taste?

The last one is obviously a joke...or is it?

Unfortunately for Jets fans, Revis' holdout is no joke and will not garner any laughs or offer a conclusion for a while. Revis wants more than the Jets are willing to offer and the Jets have all the leverage.

The good news? This isn't the Brett Favre saga. We know Revis wants to play but much like Rod Tidwell, he wants his respective franchise to show him the money. The real question isn't will he play for the Jets again because with three years left on his rookie contract, the Jets have Revis "cornered."

That pun was undoubtedly intended and I apologize.

$120 Million Jet? Jets and Revis $40 Million Apart

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 22: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets defends against Randy Moss #81 of the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 22, 2009 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Revis obviously deserves a raise. He is considered by many to be the best corner in the league. His current salary is about one million a year. He is vastly underpaid; he knows that and the Jets know that.

New York faces tough competition in the AFC East: an impressive aerial attack in New England, the highest paid wide-out in league history in Miami, and one of the fastest receivers in Buffalo. 

With the likes of Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Brandon Marshall, and Lee Evans to contend with, New York will require his services.

$30 Million Guaranteed? Who Does He Think He Is? Sam Bradford?

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

ST. LOUIS, MO - AUGUST 14: Sam Bradford #8 of the St. Louis Rams looks on against the Minnesota Vikings during the preseason game at Edward Jones Dome on August 14, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Vikings defeated the Rams 28-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Get

The Jets want him, there is no disputing that, but they want to get a deal done for the right price.What that price is compared to what Revis and his agents believe is his worth is about $40 million dollars.

According to Gary Meyers of the New York Daily News, the Jets are willing to sign the corner to a 10-year, $120 million deal but are unwilling to pay Al Davis-type money.

Davis signed corner Nnamdi Asomugha to a record-setting three-year deal worth about $16.5 million annually in 2009.

You would think after rookie quarterback Sam Bradford, who has only played a little over a quarter in the preseason, received $50 million guaranteed that the $30 million guaranteed Revis is likely asking for would be a no-brainer.

How is that an unproven commodity like Bradford can get a deal done in time for camp and one of the league's best can't get a raise?

Well, for one, Bradford is a quarterback and Revis is a corner, but more importantly, Revis is asking for more years and more money at a position that demands superior athleticism and speed for the duration of such a contract.

No Guarantees

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 29: Kerry Rhodes #25 of the New York Jets celebrates his second interception of the game against the Carolina Panthers with teammate Darrelle Revis #24 on November 29, 2009 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

According to Neil Schwartz, Revis' agent, the Jets have never offered his player any sort of figure in guaranteed money.

"The Jets have never given us a proposal with one dollar in signing bonus or one dollar in fully guaranteed money," Schwartz said. "I don't care what they say."

If this is true, the Jets obviously have no intentions of ending these negotiations anytime soon. Meyers of the New York Daily News says the Jets will talk guarantees once an agreement on the total amount is reached. 

"If the Jets had offered a two-year, $1 billion contract with $1 million this year and $999 million next year, that is not guaranteed. The contract is only worth $1 million," Schwartz said. "But it would be reported that Revis was offered a two-year, $1 billion deal."

The Risk is Worth the Reward

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 14: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets celebrates making a game saving interception in the closing minutes of regulation preserving a 31-27 win against the Buffalo Bills during their game on December 14, 2008 at Giants

New York is playing hardball with their best player, something they have the ability to do because of the three years left on Revis' contract.

The holdout could potentially last into the season although the Jets could resolve the conflict for the time being if they offer Revis a quick fix like the Titans did for Chris Johnson.

Although that sort of deal would not provide the two things it seems Revis covets most: a record-setting salary, and because of the reported desire for a 10-year deal, long-term security.

Sign Revis: The Smart Move and the Right Move

Al Bello/Getty Images

HEMPSTEAD, NY - JANUARY 10: Darrelle Revis of the New York Jets poses for a portrait on January 10, 2007 at the Jets training complex in Hempstead, New York. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

If the Jets wish to contend for a Super Bowl, which coupled with the veteran signings and their deep playoff run in 2009 seems evident, they will need Revis leading the secondary.

He is asking for a lot of money and signing this sort of deal is a risk. But believe this, coming from a Lions fan, a solid corner isn't always easy to find and a shutdown corner is darn near impossible.

Being a shrewd negotiator is a sign of a smart man but not signing the best player at his position in the prime of his career is the sign of a very stupid man. Jets' brass, make the smart move and get this guy back on the field where he belongs.