The headline of the article in the New York Daily News implies a much stronger report than the text from Gary Myers ultimately provides. Still, the notion that the Jets don’t/won’t/wouldn’t want to see cornerback Darrelle Revis bolt for the Patriots in 2014 would/could/should be a major factor in the decisions made regarding what otherwise would be his last year in New York.
Because of a contract that prevents the Jets from using the franchise tag on Revis after the coming season, the only way to prevent him from landing in the division would be to trade him to another team that would then sign Revis to a long-term deal.
While no Jets source is cited in support of the idea that the team hopes to avoid a defection to New England, the possibility is sufficiently scary to make the Jets consider seriously the wisdom of cutting the cord on Revis now, in order to not be haunted by him later. After all, the 2013 season is shaping up to be a cap-and-contracts calamity. Why waste the last dance with Revis on a team that doesn’t have the talent to take advantage of his?
Still, it won’t be easy. The desire to keep Revis out of New England doesn’t mean the Jets will accept a bag of pistachios from a team like the 49ers. And the next team Revis signs with will have to be willing to pay him, despite the ACL injury.
There’s a way to work it all out, with option bonuses and conditional picks and balloon terms, if he is later traded to the Patriots. If keeping Revis out of New England is a priority for the Jets, the Jets will be willing to put in the effort necessary to complete a complex trade.