Jets Officially Deal Darrelle Revis to Tampa Bay Bucs

Jets Deal Revis to Tampa Bay Bucs

The Tampa Bay Bucs gave up a 1st & conditional 4th round pick for Darrelle Revis. (Credit Opertinicy)

After weeks of speculation, the deal is done. The New York Jets will send cornerback Darrelle Revis to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Revis passed his physical with the Bucs today. He joins a Tampa Bay secondary that has gotten increasingly impressive in the offseason with the additions of Revis and safety Dashon Goldson.

In return, the New York Jets will receive the Bucs’ 2013 1st round pick (#13), as well as a compensatory 4th round pick in 2014 that could become a 3rd rounder. Although it’s something, the Jets undoubtedly figured they could get more for Revis – especially after watching a player like Percy Harvin move to Seattle for a 1st, 4th and 7th round pick.

Still, the Jets didn’t want to see Revis move to an AFC East rival free of charge after his deal ended next year, nor did they want to see #24 move to an AFC power or the cross-town New York Giants. So the deal with the Bucs has happened, and the Jets now own 2 of the top 13 picks in the 2013 NFL Draft.

Revis’ links to Tampa Bay Bucs

Why is Darrelle Revis a natural fit in Tampa Bay? Special teams coach Dave Wannstedt was Revis’ college head coach at the University of Pittsburgh. One of the Big East coaches he gave fits during his college career was Rutgers’ Greg Schiano, who is now the Bucs’ head coach. The coaches have both loved Revis for years, and with Bucs GM Mark Dominik throwing money around to turn the team into a contender, this deal seemed more like a matter of time than an option.

As a franchise, the Tampa Bay Bucs have built their defense around play-making defensive backs for the better part of the past 15 seasons. Ronde Barber may be the team’s most recognizable player of the last decade. Dexter Jackson was the Super Bowl XXXVII MVP. And in one offseason, Dashon Goldson and Darrelle Revis have fortified the secondary against the dangerous passing attacks of the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.

The Jets’ future: 2013 NFL Draft

With the 9th and 13th picks in the 2013 NFL Draft, the Jets obviously have options. A cornerback the caliber of Alabama’s Dee Milliner may or may not be there at #9, but Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes is a likely target. The Jets can also use those picks to improve their lackluster pass rush and wide receiver corps.

After the acrimonious negotiations between the Jets and Darrelle Revis, it was almost certain Revis was not coming back to the team after his contract expired in 2013. By moving Revis Island to the Bucs, the onus is now on Tampa Bay to sign him to an extension. Meanwhile, the heavily rebuilding Jets can now turn their focus fully to the future.

Related articles

• Jets Agree to Trade Darrelle Revis to Buccaneers (complex.com)
• Report: Bucs willing to trade No. 13 overall pick for Jets CB Darrelle Revis (sidelinemob.com)
• Report: Jets, Bucs have Revis trade framework in place (profootballtalk.nbcsports.com)