Bell: No one understands the NFL market like Darrelle Revis

Jarrett Bell | USA TODAY Sports

This is what free agency is all about: getting to the market.

Welcome back, Darrelle Revis.

In a not-so-stunning development, the New England Patriots decided not to exercise the inflated option year that could have purchased the services of the all-pro cornerback for another year at $20 million.

A year ago, when Revis signed with the Patriots, the full expectation was to get back to the market as a free agent, a person with knowledge of Revis' thinking at the time told USA TODAY Sports.

And no NFL player probably knows leverage and market value better than Revis.

Some quick facts: Over the last three seasons, Revis has performed for three teams and collected more than $35 million. Before that? He cashed in with an $18 million option bonus from the New York Jets, part of a $26 million haul in 2011.

In other words, this dude means business.

Although New England can, technically, keep Revis off the market by striking a deal before the league's new year begins at 4 p.m. ET Tuesday, the chances are greater that Joe Montana will come out of retirement.

Revis understands the market, and that's not an accident. His uncle and mentor, Sean Gilbert — a former all-pro defensive tackle who once forced a trade after holding out for an entire year in a contract dispute and incidentally is running to become the next NFL players union chief — has a profound influence.

Just look at Revis' track record. He's not afraid to bet on himself. After he signed a $96 million contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2013 that was essentially a series of six one-year deals that allowed the team to pull out after any season without a major financial hit, he just shrugged and smiled when I asked at the time why he didn't seekto structure the contract with more security.

I get it. He believed in the power of the marketplace — even as he came off a torn knee ligament.

That's why whatever effort the Patriots made to sign Revis to a long-term deal before now was going to be such a hard sell. Revis played for $12 million in 2014, which was actually a pay cut from the $16 million he earned from the Bucs in 2013.

The floor for the next deal is $14 million, given Arizona Cardinals standout Patrick Peterson averages $14.01 million and Seattle Seahawks star Richard Sherman averages $14 million as the two highest-paid cornerbacks on existing deals.

To better set his price for a long-term deal from the Patriots — or for any other interested team — Revis, who turns 30 in July, owes it to himself to explore the market.

With Ndamukong Suh set to officially land with the Miami Dolphins, Revis will hit the market as the most attractive free agent on the market — just in time to cash in when the NFL's salary cap has reached an all-time high of $143.28 million a team.

Ask the Patriots. They can surely vouch for Revis' value.

He was the most dominant missing link to complement Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski on the road to a Super Bowl crown.

After getting dusted in Denver in the AFC title game the season before last, Bill Belichick overhauled his secondary with Revis and opposite cornerback Brandon Browner. It was a huge key in the November showdown that put New England on course to earn the No. 1 seed…and you know what happened from there.

Monday, New England kept premier safety Devin McCourty in the fold with a five-year deal reportedly worth $47.5 million. On the other hand, they reportedly will let Browner explore the market while trying to rework his contract.

Now comes the really hard part of crafting a deal that makes sense for the team — and lures Revis back at a price he can live with.

The competition could come, at minimum, from familiar places. The Jets are said to covet Revis, who could do wonders for the defense new coach Todd Bowles is installing. And it will be interesting to see whether the Buffalo Bills will make a run at reuniting Revis with his former coach, Rex Ryan.

Still, the Patriots have something to offer besides money that could weigh into the equation.

The chance to win big again.

As much as Revis can shape the personality of any given secondary, teaming with Belichick again would probably ensure a shot at winning another Super Bowl crown.

Then again, Revis might never be as hot as he is now with a chance to land the next, and perhaps, last mega-deal of his career.

One thing for sure. Through it all, he will bet on himself.

***

Follow Jarrett Bell on Twitter @Jarrett Bell