In what would be the biggest news of the offseason, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear very open to the idea of moving Darrelle Revis. It was reported before the NFL Scouting Combine that Tampa Bay explored the idea but later refuted. Now the reports are back and there seems to be a real chance Revis doesn’t play another snap for the Buccaneers.
For Tampa Bay, it’s a move that comes a bit of a surprise because of how talented Revis is and it’s less than a year after the team traded for him, but it also makes a lot of sense. Revis is due $16 million each year over the next five years and Tampa Bay can find much more beneficial ways to spread that money around. Revis was acquired by the old Buccaneers’ regime and not new coach Lovie Smith.
For the Buccaneers they clear cap room and pick up additional draft picks in one of the deepest draft classes in over a decade. But Revis is a premiere talent, still one of the best defensive backs in the game but just comes with a massive contract. There will be more than a dozen teams on the phone with Tampa Bay, but a few stand out as fits.
Indianapolis Colts
If the Colts are able to retain Vontae Davis than they might look at spending their money and draft picks elsewhere, but if Davis walks they could be one of the major teams fighting over Revis and getting into a bidding war.
Indianapolis has nearly $40 million in cap space, which leaves them plenty of space to bring on Revis’ entire contract and still have room to fill needs on the offensive line and wide receiver. Revis would provide an upgrade from Davis and give them a true star of their defense along with Robert Mathis and recently signed D’Qwell Jackson.
If the Colts are willing to take on all of Revis’ salary, the price for acquiring Revis may not be as expensive as some think. Clearing $16 million off the Buccaneers’ salary cap would already be a big relief, so they could lower their asking price to potentially a third-round pick.
Denver Broncos
Months after winning the AFC Championship then getting blown out in the Super Bowl, the Broncos enter the offseason with $27 million in cap space and a major need in the secondary.
The team cut ties with long-time Bronco Champ Bailey but his days as a corner are over. Meanwhile Chris Harris is coming off a torn-ACL and is a slot corner for the Broncos. The Broncos’ are in need of a top outside corner who can match up against number one wide receivers and eliminate them from the passing game.
Revis would provide exactly that and could fit into the Broncos’ win-now mode. It would give the best team in the AFC another leg up on the competition and help them try to take the final step next year.
Denver doesn’t have as much cap room or as high draft picks as the Colts, but they do have the room to take on Revis’ entire contract and could offer the Buccaneers 2014 picks and future considerations. It would absolutely be worth it for John Elway, as he tries to give Peyton Manning another Super Bowl.
New England Patriots
The Patriots have shown in the past they aren’t afraid to make the big splash if it means contending for the Vince Lombardi Trophy, so it’s no surprise to see the team show a lot of interest in Revis.
New England has a big need at cornerback with Aqib Talib potentially departing in free agency. The Patriots already have been linked to free agent cornerback Alterraun Verner, and Revis is easily the best talent on the market. Revis is just 29 and after losing to the Broncos in the AFC Championship last year, he could be the difference in helping New England surpass their new rival.
New England would be in more of a tight situation with Revis’ contract, as they have just $14 million in cap space and need some of that for their upcoming rookie class. The team is still looking at parting ways with Danny Amendola which would clear some room, but could just decide to pay a higher price for Revis and in return the Buccaneers’ cover part of Revis’ salary.
If the Buccaneers are unable to find a reasonable return for Revis on the trade market, they could very well make the decision to terminate Revis’ contract as Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) reported this evening. If Revis is on the Buccaneers roster after the third day of the NFL season, Tampa Bay will have to give up its third-round pick to the New York Jets instead of their fourth-round pick.