The New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a staring contest when it comes to Darrelle Revis and it will all just depend on which team blinks first. At this point, Tampa Bay is the only serious suitor for Revis. The owners want the cornerback on their team long-term. The issue is coming down to what the Jets will accept in return for one of their best players. The two teams reportedly discussed the trade at this week's NFL annual meeting in Phoenix, but neither team has caved on a trade.
The Jets want a first and third round pick for Revis. Tampa Bay may be willing to give that up, but not until the 2014 draft. The ball is now in the Jets corner to decide what move to make next. According to reports, the Jets want Tampa's first-round pick for this year as well an additional pick in either the 2013 or 2014 draft. That would set up New York to have the ninth pick and the 13th pick overall this year. However, if the Jets waited, they could have top picks in both the first and second round next year.
Tampa Bay could easily sign Revis to the long-term contract he is looking for, but they seem hesitant considering he is coming off of an ACL injury that ended his football year just two games into the 2012 season. They would be willing to pay him around $15 million per year. The Jets are slated to pay him $6 million this upcoming season and Revis has been vocal about wanting a pay raise.
If the Jets do not trade Revis prior to the October deadline, they will not be able to franchise him at the end of 2013. That means they risk losing him to free agency and would receive basically nothing in return. The Jets asking price is high for someone that is considered damaged goods until proven healthy. They know they cannot pay him the money he is demanding, so general manager John Idzik must try and get the best deal possible.
It is expected that the Jets and Tampa Bay will eventually reach a deal. The only thing left to determine is when the Jets will get those top picks.
