Rumors and speculation persist that teams like the Patriots and Broncos could be interested in trying to get the Buccaneers to trade cornerback Darrelle Revis and his $16 million in total compensation for 2014.
If anything is going to happen, it need to happen fairly soon.
As of March 13, the Bucs would need much more to justify the move. On that date, the third day of the new league year, Revis earns a $1.5 million roster bonus -- and the final draft pick the Buccaneers owe the Jets upgrades from fourth-round pick to a third-round selection.
While a team like the Pats or Broncos could have a hard time absorbing the $16 million under their 2014 cap, the recent increase in the base rate for each team of $10 million coupled with the ability in the Revis contract to unilaterally convert salary to signing bonus would give his new team more flexibility.
Last year, Revis took to Twitter to say he was “speechless” about the notion that the Jets were reportedly thinking about trading him. This year, Revis has remained silent.
Of course, Revis likely realizes it’s not his current team that is initiating the buzz. The question over the next eight days is whether another team can persuade the Buccaneers to save $16 million in cash, to keep their third-round pick, and to acquire whatever the best offer would be to move Revis to a team that has a better chance to contend in 2014. And that has better uniforms.
On the uniform issue, that would be every other team. In the NFL, the CFL, and the Arena League.