Revis Trade Won’t Be Easy

There are a number of reasons it makes sense for the Jets to trade star corner Darrelle Revis. At 27, Revis is still in his prime, while the Jets clearly aren’t. The team has many needs and with Revis’ contract up at the end of the season, and the team unable to franchise him, the time is now to deal him and fill the numerous gaps on their roster.

So what’s taking so long for the Jets to deal him? A number of reasons.

1. He’s still recovering from a major injury.

Revis tore his ACL last fall and with quickness as his number one asset, it will certainly make any suitor apprehensive about stepping up to the Jets’ price tag (most likely multiple draft picks) and making the deal. In the Jets’ favor though, is Revis’ relatively young age (27) and the fact that Adrian Peterson (also 27) came back this season with a vengeance after major knee surgery last year.

Currently Revis is working out in Arizona and it’s expected he'll be ready for training camp in July.

2. Revis is only signed for one more season.

Whoever has the three-time All-Pro Revis on their roster for next season at $6 million will get quite a one-year bargain. But that’s where his contract ends. Beyond that Revis is rumored to command a long-term deal that will net him somewhere in the neighborhood of $15 million a season. Not many teams can afford such a deal for a non-quarterback player.

3. Not every team wants to trade draft picks away for veterans.

The Jets would be wise to deal Revis for draft picks as opposed to veterans, much like Dallas did all those years ago when they famously dealt Herschel Walker to the Vikings for a number of picks. As it turned out, the picks Dallas received were shrewdly turned into key players that helped them win three Super Bowls in the 90’s. Judging by their decision to deal Revis, the Jets surely know this and would love to duplicate that success.

The problem is that most of the rest of the league also recognizes that it’s much easier to build through the draft as opposed to acquiring highly-paid veterans via trade or free agency.

4. Not every team even is equipped to deal draft picks.

Of the teams that have a surplus of draft picks, the San Francisco 49ers would seem to be the ones with the most (12 for the upcoming draft) but they’re also smart in evaluating what fits best for the team. Recently though they’ve been refuting rumors that they want to pay up to acquire and sign the four-time Pro Bowler.

Revis’ skills undoubtedly fit any team. It’s his contract demands that not every team can meet. Fortunately for new Jets GM John Idzik, he only has to find one.

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