Darrelle Revis is returning home.
On a day marked by blockbuster trades, one of the most stunning moves took place Tuesday night when Revis and the New York Jets agreed to reunite.
Revis tweeted: I want to thank the Pats and Pats Nation for an unbelievable year. NEW YORK I’m coming home.
Just five hours after becoming a free agent, the Jets swooped in and secured the services of one of the best defensive players in the league.
ESPN is reporting that the Jets offered the 29-year-old Revis a five-year deal worth $70 million, which will make him the highest paid cornerback in NFL history. According to reports, $39 million is guaranteed.
By signing with the Jets, Revis picked the team that drafted him over the team he helped win a Super Bowl.
The Patriots had declined to exercise Revis’ $20 million option for 2015, but they had retained exclusive negotiating rights until 4 p.m.
Revis played for the Jets from 2007 to 2012, earning All-Pro honors three times. He was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2012 season.
After one season in Tampa Bay, he was released and signed a two-year deal worth $32 million with New England.
By the time the Jets traded Revis, he had worn out his welcome because of two contract holdouts.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Jets bolstered their defensive backfield with the signing of former Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine.
NFL NOTES: Outside linebacker Trent Cole, running back Frank Gore, offensive lineman Todd Herremans and defensive end Kendall Langford signed Tuesday with the Indianapolis Colts, who got off to a flying start to free agency. The haul eventually might include wide receiver Andre Johnson, who was in talks with the Colts. Indianapolis entered Tuesday with $40 million of salary-cap space, though some of that is earmarked for a long-term deal due quarterback Andrew Luck. By the time free agency officially opened at 4 p.m., Gore and Johnson were traveling to Indianapolis to meet with ownership and general manager Ryan Grigson. Cole signed a two-year deal with Indianapolis after he was released by the Philadelphia Eagles. He is reunited with general manager Ryan Grigson, who was in the personnel department in Philadelphia before he came to Indianapolis.