As Darrelle Revis’ holdout continues to linger, a Jets player is on the verge of signing a long-term deal with the team.
It’s center Nick Mangold.
The Jets and the All-Pro lineman are closing in on a contract extension that could be announced as early as Monday or Tuesday, according to a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations.
That person requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak for the team or Mangold.
Terms are still being finalized, but it’s expected to be a mega-deal topping the five-year, $37.5 million contract, with $20 million in guarantees, that St. Louis’ Jason Brown — the league’s highest-paid center — signed last year.
The Jets have been locked in a contract impasse with Revis for more than six months, leading to his prolonged absence. Message sent? Possibly.
Before the recent media blackout, both sides made clear their frustration with the progress of negotiations in a messy public back-and-forth. Perhaps as proof they are willing to lock up their talented young core, though, the Jets have moved on to Mangold.
Mangold, who was scheduled to make $3.3 million this season in the final year of his rookie deal, spoke openly about his desire for a new contract in the offseason but decided to attend both mini-camp and training camp. His signing would no doubt make a big splash on HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” the third episode of which airs on Wednesday.
An internet report Sunday said Revis and the Jets will announce a new deal this week, perhaps on Wednesday. It looks like that player will be Mangold instead.
A person with direct knowledge of the status of the Jets’ negotiations with Revis said the report of a Revis deal being announced this week is not true. That person requested anonymity because they are not authorized to speak for either side.
The Jets opened negotiations with the All-Pro cornerback after the AFC Championship Game earlier this year. General manager Mike Tannenbaum has said the sides have a disagreement over total compensation, while Revis’ representatives said they are waiting for a proposal from the Jets that includes a signing bonus. Revis, who is scheduled to make $1 million this season, wants to be the league’s highest-paid cornerback.
Jets news
