New York Jets

Jets will consider moving Darrelle Revis to safety, just not this season

Published Dec. 15, 2016 9:03 a.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

The New York Jets have been a disaster this year. They’re out of playoff contention, their roster is filled with overpriced veterans, and Todd Bowles has found himself on the hot seat just two years into his tenure.

They have nothing to lose in the coming weeks, so they’re smartly experimenting with quarterback Bryce Petty and seeing what he might have to offer in 2017. They should do the same with cornerback Darrelle Revis, who’s not guaranteed a spot on the team next season.

Moving Revis to free safety has been discussed in the past year or so, but it won’t be happening this season. He could make the jump in 2017, though.

“No. He’s playing corner,” Bowles said, via ESPN. “It's not a thought process right now. It's something we might talk about in the offseason. It ain't gonna happen over the next three games."

The Jets have to figure out what to do with Revis next season. He carries a $15.3 million cap hit in 2017, but the Jets can save $7.3 million by cutting him in the offseason. For a player who’s no longer a shutdown corner, and may not even be a good No. 2, that’s far too expensive on a team already up against the cap.

So why not try him at free safety? Making the transition is tough in the middle of a season, but starter Marcus Gilchrist is out for the year and the Jets have nothing to play for. In fact, losing a few games would only help them by improving their draft slot.

Revis likely won’t be on the roster as the No. 1 corner with that salary next season, so something has to be done to make him worth the money. A move to safety – akin to Charles Woodson, Lardarius Webb, DeAngelo Hall – might just be what he needs.