The Kansas City Chiefs added a future Hall of Fame cornerback to their roster Wednesday afternoon by signing former New York Jets' playmaker Darrelle Revis.
Revis—the seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team All-Pro—hasn't yet played this year after spending all of last season with the Jets. He's just 32 years old.
"You're talking about one of the all-time great players at that position," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday afternoon of Revis, who is entering his 11th year in the league. "It's just a matter of getting him back into the swing of things."
The Jets selected Revis with the No. 14 overall pick in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. He would spend the first six years of his career (2007-12) there before heading off to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2013) and New England Patriots (2014) before once again joining the Jets for the last two seasons (2015-16).
In his career, Revis has tallied 29 interceptions, 137 passes defensed, nine tackles for loss and six forced fumbles. And according to Pro Football Focus, he's graded as a top three cornerback in five of his 10 NFL seasons.
"Very intelligent, very instinctive," Reid added. "We're excited to have him here."
The Chiefs are hoping Revis—a name around football that's become synonymous with "playmaker" over the years—can step in and make an impact for a defense that's had its ups and downs this season.
"I would think his role would be to step in and be a starter," Reid explained of Revis' role this year. "That's how I would like it."
Despite the excitement and possibilities, there was no timetable given for how long it'll be before we *actually *see Revis on the field in a game.
"There's no hurry," Reid added. "He's a veteran guy, he looks like he's in good shape. Let's just see where he's at."
Looking ahead, the Chiefs host the Bills Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium, and when asked, Reid didn't necessarily rule out Revis potentially playing in that game.
"He knows the system," Reid noted. "That's the only reason why I wouldn't (rule it out). But I've got to see where we're at here. We're not going to rush him into anything."
Revis knows the system and can acclimate himself quickly because of his familiarity with Chiefs' defensive coordinator Bob Sutton, who held the same position with the Jets when Revis first came into the league. They spent six years together in New York, and during that time, Revis earned three of the four All-Pro honors of his career (2009-11).
"[Sutton] has been very vital in my success," Revis explained to the local Kansas City media Wednesday afternoon. "He helped me grow as a football player. He helped me grow as a man. Actually, teaming back up with him and loving what he does as a defensive coordinator was a no-brainer. I think that is why one of the reasons I wanted to come play with the Chiefs."
The opportunity to join Reid was exciting for Revis as well.
"I am a big fan of Andy Reid," Revis noted. "I still haven't been able to pick off one of his quarterback's passes, but now I am actually teaming up alongside of him. This phase right here for me, the veteran I am is to pick Andy Reid's brain. Being around him and seeing his football IQ, that is the type of thing I would like to be around. Football is a tricky game. You can't come into a game and this game specifically and think you know it. It is all about growing and improving.
"Where I am at now, to be alongside an established coach as Andy Reid, it made sense in my career."
Revis, who spoke with multiple teams this year before joining the Chiefs, said he spent the last eight-to-nine months just taking care of his body and waiting for the right time to get back into the league. He also said he spent a lot of time watching the Chiefs because of his familiarity with Sutton, and also because of his discussions with the team that go back to before the season began.
"It's just exciting to have this opportunity to return back to football," Revis noted. "I think the reason for me returning is the fire I have—the fuel I have to continue to play this game at a high level.
"My role is to help win."
The Chiefs have been doing plenty of winning as they currently sit at 6-4 and have a two-game lead in the AFC West division.
And Revis, who carries a 7-2 career playoff record with him, was welcomed with open arms by the other veterans and leaders in the Chiefs' locker room.
"I had a chance to talk to some of the guys before [Revis] even got into the building—just to give them a heads up," Reid explained. "Obviously, some of these guys know him from either Pro Bowls or wherever being in the league awhile. I think they're excited to have him. He has a reputation of being a good guy. Hard worker and a good guy. Players are good with that. They appreciate that."
One of the players Revis will be spending quite a bit of time with is third-year All-Pro cornerback Marcus Peters, who has more interceptions (17) than anyone else in the league over the past three seasons.
It's one of the best to ever do it teaming up with one of the best doing it right now.
"I love the way he plays," Revis explained of Peters, his new teammate. "He has taken the league by storm. I'm excited about what we can do."
