With about two weeks to go before the NFL Draft, the Jets’ and the Buccaneers’ stare-down over a Darrelle Revis trade continues.
The sticking point continues to be Tampa Bay’s first-round draft pick, 13th overall, according to a Tampa Bay Times report. According to the report, the Jets have informed the Buccaneers they won’t settle for anything less than that first-round pick, and are not interested in next year’s first-rounder instead.
If Tampa Bay sends their first-rounder to the Jets, new Jets general manager John Idzik will have the Nos. 9 and 13 picks in his first Jets draft.
The trade seems inevitable with the Jets unwilling to pay Revis long-term and the prospect of losing him as a free agent next year. The Buccaneers are the only known suitor, though, giving Tampa Bay some leverage. The Jets have the leverage of knowing there is no cornerback available who is even close to the player Revis is.
With Revis coming off left knee surgery, it is unlikely the trade will happen during the draft, but rather in the days leading up to it so the Buccaneers medical staff has a chance to examine Revis. The Times reported the Bucs have a “loose” deadline of about a week before the April 25 draft to complete a deal for Revis.
Things got uglier between the Jets and Revis recently with the team insisting Revis report for voluntary workouts next week, threatening to withhold $3 million in bonus money if he doesn’t. Revis would prefer to meet with the Jets doctors and then return to Arizona to rehab his surgically repaired left knee.
The Buccaneers are willing to pay Revis around $15 million per year, according to a source. The Tampa Bay Times reported the Bucs have not been given permission to negotiate with Revis’ agents yet, though.
* Free-agent guard Stephen Peterman left his visit with the Jets without a deal yesterday, according to a source. The Jets made an offer, but the two sides could not reach an agreement.
* Geno Smith, considered by many analysts to be the top quarterback in the draft, will visit the Jets this week, a source confirmed.
The Jets have the No. 9 pick in the first round and Smith could be available after several teams drafting before them have added veteran quarterbacks in recent weeks.
* Restricted free-agent tight end Jeff Cumberland signed his tender with the Jets, meaning he’ll earn $1.3 million in 2013.
Cumberland is currently the top candidate on the roster to replace Dustin Keller as the Jets’ starting tight end.