Darrelle Revis, disgruntled with his New York Jets’ contract, was traded to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the 13th pick in the upcoming NFL Draft and a conditional pick next year.
The deal is worth $96 million, making Revis the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history, but includes no guaranteed money, according to sources close to the Pro Bowl cornerback.
The conditional pick headed to the Jets is a fourth-round selection in 2014, but could become a third-rounder if Revis is on Tampa Bay’s roster on the third day of the 2014 league year, sources said.
The Buccaneers will formally introduce Revis during a news conference Monday at noon EST. The front page of the Buccaneers’ official website posted a large photo of Revis in what appears to be a Tampa Bay jersey with the words: “Treasure Island. Darrelle Revis (CB). It’s a Bucs Life.”
A four-time Pro Bowler during his six-year stint in New York, the 27-year-old Revis addressed Jets fans in a series of tweets Sunday night.
“I been sitting around for the last hour trying to figure out what to say to the Jet Nation & I came up with this,” Revis posted on his Twitter account. “The six years I played for the New York Jets were unbelievable. I put my body on the line everyday & did everything could to help the team win.
“I experienced a lot & learned a lot. The memories I had in New York I will keep dearly to my heart. I want to thank all the jets fans for making me feel welcome.”
The six-year, $96 million deal would make Revis one of the NFL’s two highest-paid defensive players, along with Mario Williams.
Jets general manager John Idzik cited multiple reasons for the trade, namely the inability to negotiate a long-term extension and a “degree of uncertainty” regarding Revis’ rehab from a serious knee injury suffered last season.
“It became quite evident to us that there is a substantial difference between Darrelle’s view of his value and ours,” Idzik said Sunday during a conference call.
Revis will not be released before this season, meaning he is assured of making this season’s base salary, but his contract includes none of the money that the NFL refers to as “guaranteed” money. Tampa Bay would be able to release Revis before any season without incurring any salary-cap charge.
The final obstacle to the deal was completed Sunday, when Revis flew on a private plane from New Jersey to Tampa, Fla., to undergo a physical that included a comprehensive checkup on his knee. He passed it, making the trade official.
“We have no concerns about Darrelle Revis’ physical condition,” a Bucs senior team official told ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio. “He will be out there the first day of training camp and ready to go Week 1.”
The three sides — the Jets, the Buccaneers and Revis — spent the weekend hammering out their respective agreements.
