Darrelle Revis picks Jets over Patriots, will return to New York

The next big splash of NFL free agency has been made by the Jets.

New York has reached an agreement with cornerback Darrelle Revis, according to his agent. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Revis "was asking teams for $40 million guaranteed, and the Jets' deal is "expected to top that. North of $40M guaranteed."

Only a truly elite player can command that kind of contract, and Revis is exactly that. He's been one of the NFL's true lock-down corners since originally emerging in New York. However, a torn ACL and change in Jets' management helped pave the way for his trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

After Tampa Bay signed him to a deal that was paying him $20 million annually when Greg Schiano was the head coach, Revis was cut the ensuing offseason when Schiano and several key Buccaneers front-office men were fired. Revis resurfaced in New England last year, where he helped lead the Patriots to a win in the Super Bowl over Seattle.

Revis, 29, is still widely considered one of the best cover corners in the league. He has 23 interceptions in 111 career games since being taken in the first round (14th overall) of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Jets. He has been rated a top-five cornerback in three of the last four seasons, per Pro Football Focus' grades.