Source: Jets won’t overspend on Darrelle Revis

Darelle Revis could be headed back to the New York Jets but the team isn’t prepared to “break open the piggy bank for him,” said one source close to the situation.

Arguably the biggest name left on the free agent market, Revis is the lockdown cornerback that the Jets crave for new head coach Todd Bowles’ blitz-heavy scheme. And it doesn’t hurt that Revis, traded by the Jets in 2013, is a legend despite his frequent contract holdouts and general air of discontent. But while his parting from New York two years ago was less than harmonious via a trade to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Revis is “open and willing to consider a return to the Jets.”

“Darrelle would be open to the Jets. He never wanted to leave. And the team is planning accordingly,” the source said.

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because he is not allowed to comment publicly on contract talks.

“But while a reunion is possible, don’t expect [the Jets] to overpay,” the source said. “Revis has value on and off the field; he’s a perfect fit for this defense. But he’s 29 [years old] and while still an impact player, is he ‘Revis Island’? He’s still close to that, don’t get me wrong. He will get paid like a top corner but this won’t be a bidding war.

“They will be disciplined but they won’t be trigger shy. He will be among the top paid defensive players in the league but [the Jets] won’t break open the piggy back for him.”

As a lockdown corner, Revis would take the pressure off of safety Calvin Pryor, set to enter his second year in the league after some ups and downs a season ago. He would also be a good mentor for Dee Milliner, whose two years in the league have been anything but smooth since the Jets made him a first round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft.

“The interest is strong in Revis,” the source said of the Jets. “If he can be brought back at market value without overspending, they will do it.”

The source said that owner Woody Johnson will be “highly involved” with the recruiting of Revis back to the team. Last week, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported that Johnson has “been involved with serious internal discussions” with regards to bringing back Revis.