Everything you need to know about Darrelle Revis and the Kansas City Chiefs

Here’s everything you need to know about the Kansas City Chiefs surprise signing of cornerback Darrelle Revis.

If you’re with the majority of Kansas City Chiefs fans, you are likely waking up on Thanksgiving feeling a bit more in the spirit of the season in that you’re thankful for the latest addition to the team. On Wednesday, or Thanksgiving Eve, the Chiefs announced they’d added future Hall of Fame cornerback Darrelle Revis to the roster. It was a shock and surprise of the best kind, as it is a move that helps to address one of the biggest trouble spots on the team.

What number will Revis wear?

Revis will wear No. 24 for the Chiefs.

Will he be available to play immediately?

Officially, Revis will be able to play immediately starting this Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. That said, as much as he’s been working out, it would be a bit of a surprise if he’s able to step in and play starters reps in a matter of days.

It is important to note that he will be uniting with Bob Sutton, who was Revis’s defensive coordinator in the NFL for his first six seasons when both were in New York. This means that Revis should be very familiar with the schemes, language and nuances of what Sutton wants to do, even if he has to adjust to the way Sutton has developed his game planning to the Chiefs personnel and work under Andy Reid.

What are the contract terms for Revis?

The Chiefs signed Revis to a 2-year deal that will more likely play out as a one-year deal. The New York Jets are still on the hook to pay Revis $6 million this season, and the contract signed with the Chiefs allows them to pay Revis only the veteran minimum (which he will get in addition to the Jets’ money). The second year, however, jumps to $10 million and it’s an amount that becomes guaranteed at the beginning of the 2018 league year if the Chiefs want to keep the option.

There are reported incentives involved for Revis even this year that could cost the Chiefs more, but they’d likely be happy to pay them because they are dependent upon serious playoff success. Per Ian Rapoport, Revis would receive $1.75 million if the Chiefs make the AFC Championship and again if they win the Super Bowl.

How much does Revis have left?

There’s no doubt that Revis’s best days are behind him. He is a future first ballot Hall of Famer, so even as he comes down off of that mountain, so to speak, Revis should still have more left than most players at his stage of decline, whatever that means. Revis took some serious hits for his play last year as he clearly didn’t look the same in his final year with the Jets.

However, Revis told Chiefs reporters that he was playing “way over” his average playing weight last year and that he was also coming off of wrist surgery. Now, he says he’s much closer to his typical playing weight of 205 (currently he weighs 208) and he’s motivated to show what he can do with the Chiefs.

Every player will say these things. Remember how many players say they feel “better than ever” in the offseason. Even Chiefs fans watched Tamba Hali complain about not getting more and more reps only to see him land back on injury reports after playing his first game. That said, Revis has been an exemplary pass defender in the NFL for a decade and if he truly has something left in the tank, it will make a serious difference for the Chiefs.

Why didn’t Revis sign with any other team until now?

Revis stated in his comments to the media, “I think the reason for me returning is the fire I have.” Word also leaked that Revis and the Chiefs have been talking all year long but he was only willing to sign now. It’s easy to simplify a player’s situation and believe that a veteran is unwanted if he hasn’t yet signed with someone, but that might not be the case with Revis.

Revis has proven himself to be adept at getting the maximum amount of money that he can over time, as illustrated by his five-year, $70 million deal signed just 2 years ago. In total, he’s earned nearly $125 million in his NFL career. Now, per Ross Tucker, Revis can add another full season to his future NFL pension/benefits by playing in at least 3 games for the Chiefs. Perhaps the reason for the late signing/arrival was to work as little as possible yet gain the future benefits.