New York Jets

Darrelle Revis hints that he could move to safety in the future

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:29 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

The New York Jets have one of the best cornerbacks in the league in Darrelle Revis. Even at the age of 31, Revis is considered one of the elite at his position. That’s exactly what head coach Todd Bowles called him on Thursday: “elite.”

Given his age, though, Revis is past the prime years of his career. That’s not to say he doesn’t still have several solid seasons ahead of him, but it’s hard to make the case that he’ll get better as he gets older.

Instead, he could make the transition that so many veteran corners, like Charles Woodson, have made: a switch to safety.

Revis at least acknowledged that it will be a conversation to be had.

"There will probably be conversations in the future about maybe moving my position to safety," Revis said Thursday, via NJ.com. "But as of right now, I still feel I can play at a high level, and play the cornerback position at a high level."

Moving to safety would help mask Revis’ declining speed but still allow him to make plays on the football field regularly. Woodson made a living on this in Oakland, and Revis can too.

The Redskins are currently going this route with their veteran cornerback-turned-safety DeAngelo Hall. Revis is obviously the superior corner to Hall and could thrive in a similar position switch.

Last season, Revis showed signs of his athletic ability slowly decreasing as he had trouble with younger receivers such as Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins. At safety, Revis wouldn’t have to match up one-on-one with those players and could instead play over the top and use his intelligence and ball skills to make plays.

General manager Mike Maccagnan, like Revis, isn’t ready to seriously discuss the switch yet, though.

"Darrelle is a pro. He understands himself," Maccagnan told WFAN after the Revis appearance. "We think he's a heck of a football player. It's not outside the realm of possibility. But Darrelle is a corner, and we like him as a corner.”