Revis gives reason for his struggles: 'I'm old'

The New York Jets' season has gone off the rails, and Darrelle Revis' level of play has gone with it.

Once the NFL's most feared shutdown cornerback, Revis is now a frequent target of opposing quarterbacks because he no longer looks capable of hanging with the game's top receivers.

Revis seems to understand that if the end hasn't already arrived, it's near.

"Because I'm old," Revis said, according to Gary Myers the New York Daily News, when discussing why he's not playing at his usual "Revis Island" level.

Revis is 31, which is relatively old in NFL terms, but not an age where top-level production is impossible. We've seen recently retired defensive backs like Charles Tillman and Charles Woodson play well into their 30s.

When the Jets gave Revis a five-year, $70-million contract in March 2015, they clearly didn't expect the wheels to come off this fast.

"I think people look at the price tag and not the whole body of work on what I've done in this game," Revis said. "It will be forever remembered. I'm not being cocky about it. The numbers are there. They show. I shut down some of the best of the best playing man-to-man coverage."

Revis hinted that he knows he will be asked to take a pay cut or be released after the season.

"Different things after the season you talk about," he said. "That's how the business goes. What do you want me to do? Why is everybody so focused on the price tag? That is the problem. They're not looking at the whole body of work. When Peyton Manning throws three picks, you don't talk his price."