Darrelle Revis' time with the New York Jets is over.
The Jets announced on Tuesday night that they plan to release the cornerback and one of the best-known faces in the NFL.
"Darrelle Revis is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Jets uniform," Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. "His combination of talent, preparation and instincts is rare and helped him become one of the most dominant players of his generation. I appreciate Darrelle's contributions to this organization and, wherever his career takes him, his home will always be here with the Jets."
Getting rid of Revis, according to a league source, was "100 percent a football decision" and had nothing to do with his recent legal trouble. The Jets will save $9 million in salary cap space by cutting Revis.
Soon after the Jets' announcement, Revis thanked organization and fans on Twitter.
"I can't thank Woody Johnson and the entire Jets organization enough for taking a chance on me back in 2007," Revis wrote. "I played some of my greatest football in green and white. Jet nation has always been behind me and my teammates, without all of you there would be no Revis Island. I love you New York!!!!!!"
The Jets drafted Revis in 2007 out of Pittsburgh and he played the first six seasons of his career with the Jets becoming one of the most dominant cornerbacks in football. His side of the field was called Revis Island, because he could cover it all on his own.
After helping the Jets to consecutive AFC Championship games in 2009 and 2010, Revis was traded to Tampa Bay in 2013. He won a Super Bowl with New England in 2014.
In 2015, he signed a five-year, $70 million deal to return to the Jets _ a seeming triumphant return. But his play declined steeply _ 2016 was the worst season of his career. Earlier this month, he was arrested and charged with four felony counts after an early-morning altercation on the streets of Pittsburgh.
But even before that incident, Revis was likely a goner. He was set to make $15.3 million in 2017 _ far too much money for a player who openly admitted last season that his skills were declining. There had been talk of Revis moving to safety, or possibly taking a pay cut to remain with the Jets _ the team will pay him $6 million in 2017, the final remaining guaranteed money on the contract he signed in 2015. But in the end, the Jets chose to move on.
The move will not be made official until March 9, when the new league year begins for salary cap reasons. The Jets must cut Revis by March 10 to avoid paying him a $2 million roster bonus.
