An old frenemy returns to MetLife Stadium

New York Jets fans may be surprised to learn that not only is Darrelle Revis still playing football, he’s expected to suit up against them next Sunday.

If you ask New York Jets fans about Darrelle Revis, you will almost certainly get varying responses.

On one hand, Revis is among the greatest players in franchise history. There is simply no denying his transcendent talent or the impact that the superstar corner had on the Jets‘ defense.

As his career progressed, however, the Jets’ relationship with Revis became more complicated. He developed a reputation as a “me first” player, a mercenary who will work just hard enough to secure another large paycheck.

Much like the Facebook status of a confused teenager, one could say the Jets’ relationship with Revis is “complicated.”

Revis recently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and is expected to make his season debut next week against the Jets.

Chiefs’ CB Darrelle Revis will not play Sunday vs. Bills, per source. Just not enough time to get ready. Revis expected to make Chiefs’ debut next Sunday, fittingly, at the Jets.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 26, 2017

In preparation for Revis’ return to New York, let’s revisit the Jets’ on-again, off-again relationship with their favorite frenemy.

Darrelle Revis: Friend

Let’s start with the positives.

Revis was drafted by the Jets in 2007 and quickly established himself as one of the premier defensive players in the NFL. Apart from his rookie season (2007) and an injury-shortened season (2012), Revis was a perennial Pro Bowler (2008-2011) with the Jets.

He quickly earned the nickname “Revis Island” for his ability to match up one-on-one with an opponent’s best wide receiver. Week after week, Revis made the best pass catchers in the NFL irrelevant.

If not for Revis’ legendary play, it’s doubtful that the Jets defense would have had enough star power to carry the team to back to back AFC Championship games in 2009 and 2010.

During Revis’ first tenure with the Jets (2007-2012), he had significantly more interceptions (21) than touchdowns allowed (12). And apart from his rookie year, he never surrendered more than 510 yards total over any season during that span.

Darrelle Revis: Enemy

Revis may be the most talented player to ever wear a Jets uniform, but his time in New York wasn’t all fun and games.

Revis frequently butted heads with Jets management over contract disputes. Eventually, his propensity for staging holdouts resulted in him being traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

If he had stayed in the NFC, Jets fans would have certainly forgiven Revis and wished him well. Unfortunately, after a lone season in Tampa, Revis signed with the New England Patriots.

Although Revis only spent one season with the rival Patriots (2014), he helped lead them to something that he never could with the Jets, a Super Bowl championship.

Revis rejoined the Jets in 2015, but unfortunately for Jets fans, it was never a LeBron-esque reunion. Although he had a relatively successful 2015 season, 2016 was a complete disaster for Revis. He struggled mightily in pass coverage, and the fans began to question his lackluster effort.

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The Jets released Revis after the 2016 season. Two years into a massive five year/$70 million contract, and the Jets’ greatest defensive player of all time was without a job.

Future

What is next for Revis’ career? Will some time off and a grudge match up against a former team inspire the old Revis? Or will his experiment in Kansas City be a short and failed one?

No one can say, but one thing is certain. Get your popcorn ready, because things are never boring when Revis is in New York.

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