New Jets general manager John Idzik gets a second crack at addressing the Darrelle Revis situation today when he speaks to the media at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
A month ago, Idzik was non-committal at his introductory press conference when asked about the reports that surfaced the previous night about the team possibly trading its star cornerback. Now, he has had time to learn the roster, meet with his staff and map out his offseason game plan.
Will he reveal much Thursday? Almost definitely not, but he probably will be more complimentary of Revis as a player and avoid inflaming an already delicate situation.
Coach Rex Ryan will also meet with the media Thursday in Indianapolis. Revis revealed this week Ryan called him and told him he wants to keep him on the Jets. Both Idzik and Ryan will have to tap dance around questions dealing with Revis and owner Woody Johnson.
The next few days could reveal what the Jets’ approach will be with Revis. Idzik will be meeting with executives from other teams. It is also likely Idzik will sit down with Revis’ agents. If Idzik wants to shop Revis, now is the time to start. Revis is owed a $1 million bonus in mid-March. The Jets could view that as a soft deadline to work something out.
The eyes of the NFL are on the Jets, watching what they’ll do with the All-Pro cornerback as he enters the final year of his contract. Do they try to sign him to a long-term deal when he may be seeking close to $100 million? Do they trade him now even though his value is low coming off knee surgery?
“The way I see it the Jets need to make a decision,” an executive with another team said. “Let’s assume he returns to full health — do they want him, and do they want him at the top-dollar amount? Because he’s leaving after the 2013 season, with no protection of a franchise tag or compensation coming to the team, if he doesn’t get the elite contract.
“The second decision is: Can they afford him and at what expense? Then, they have to decide whether they are willing to let this play out into the summer and fall to try to negotiate an extension and if they can’t try to deal him before the trade deadline. If they decide he’s not going to be a Jet in 2014, they have to figure out when they can get the most value for him.’’
If the Jets do decide to pursue a trade, how many teams will be willing to provide what the Jets are looking for and, also, what Revis is looking for in a long-term contract? Many teams may have the same concerns about giving him a big-money deal the Jets seem to have.
“They will need to have teams who can swing it cap-wise,” the league executive said, “but are also willing to give up the financial and draft pick compensation for the player. It’s a marriage that will need to be found. It is not easily navigated.”
Then, there is the asking price the Jets would want.
“I wouldn’t take less than a first- and a third-round pick for Revis,” one league GM said.
The next few days may give us an indication of what the Jets are thinking or they may keep things under wraps. Revis has the bonus coming in mid-March, then the draft arrives in April. Those are the first two target dates you would think the Jets would have to get a trade done.
“It’s a mess, but it’s also fairly simple,” the executive said. “You have to assume he’ll return to form. Do you want to pay top dollar? If not, you have to move him. They need draft resources now, not in 2014, because that’s where the bulk of their player procurement has to come from this offseason with their salary-cap issues.”