Antonio Cromartie on possible Jets return: 'I didn't want to leave'

Set to become an unrestricted free agent after one season with the Arizona Cardinals, veteran cornerback Antonio Cromartie likes the idea of a return to New York.

Cromartie, who played for the Jets for four seasons from 2010 to 2013, indicated Wednesday that he is open to the idea of reuniting with his former team.

"My door is always open to returning," he said, according to the New York Post's Brian Costello. "Everybody knows I didn’t want to leave. I’m going to keep my door open and see what happens."

Cromartie enjoyed a successful season under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles in Arizona, who has since been hired to replace Rex Ryan as the Jets' head coach.

The nine-year veteran spoke highly of Bowles' defensive scheme, explaining that Jets players should be excited for what's to come.

"(They are) very similar," Cromartie said. "I think he blitzes more than Rex. I think this year we blitzed maybe 54, 55 percent of the time. He’s a guy that’s going to make sure he’s always adding pressure to make sure to get the quarterback out of the pocket or make sure the quarterback is making errant throws. The defenses are very similar. For me, it was very simple. It was basically the same calls. To me, it’s the same defense – fire zones, man-to-man coverage, a lot of zero coverage and mixing in other coverages. The guys there should be very excited about it."

The team wouldn't be able to talk to Cromartie until he officially becomes a free agent in March, but given his apparent willingness to return and the roster's significant need at the cornerback position, it would be no surprise to see him back in a Jets uniform before long.