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Should the Steelers consider signing Darrelle Revis?

By Tyler Donaldson

Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Jets won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Darrelle Revis used to be one of the best cornerbacks in the league, however, in recent years the aging veteran has struggled on and off the field. Would the remains of Revis Island even be wanted in Pittsburgh?

Let’s start with the obvious. The Steelers secondary needs help. Lots of help. General Manager Kevin Colbert has done a good job injecting youth into the Steelers front seven. The secondary, however, is a mess. Ross Cockrell, one of the premier defensive backs for the Steelers, could bolt in free agency. Senquez Golson is a huge question mark. Sean Davis and Artie Burns are still developing after their rookie seasons, and Mike Mitchell’s pure coverage skills are extremely lacking.

Darrelle Revis could help the Steelers defense. A veteran with a great career who has been outspoken on his desire to be a Steeler. But at what cost? The Steelers have limited cap space, and the whole direction of the Pittsburgh’s defense is to get younger and faster. Revis isn’t going to give the Steelers either of those things.

The off the field issues don’t help, despite Revis being cleared of all criminal charges today. The Steelers have enough distractions to deal with on the offensive side of the ball. Revis has continually been beaten vertically in the last few seasons.

The veteran hasn’t exactly looked great in zone schemes either which the Steelers run a majority of the time. The price tag to sign Revis would probably be too much for the Steelers to pay an aging veteran on the downhill slope of his career.

If Revis was willing to sign a veteran contract for microscopic cap space, he might make sense here. But anything that would jeopardize the future just wouldn’t make any sense for the Steelers. Instead, expect them to draft a DB in the first three rounds and continue to develop the young talent they already possess.

Revis is an intriguing option in Pittsburgh especially because of the star power that comes with his name. But he doesn’t make sense for the program’s direction. Expect Pittsburgh to Pass on buying their own personal island.

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