The Jets are in the market for a No. 1 cornerback. Could their old one return?
Multiple reports Monday night said the Buccaneers have ramped up efforts to trade former Jets star Darrelle Revis. ESPN reported the Bucs will release Revis before 4 p.m. Wednesday if they cannot trade Revis and his $16 million-per-year salary.
It is unlikely the Jets would bring Revis back a year after trading him to the Buccaneers, but you never say never in the NFL.
The move has implications for the Jets, even if he is not returning to Gang Green. The fourth-round pick Tampa Bay traded to the Jets in this year’s draft would become a third-rounder if Revis was on the Buccaneers’ roster after 4 p.m. Wednesday. That, and a roster bonus due, is why Tampa would cut him before then.
The Jets are believed to already be far down the road with an unknown cornerback in free agency. The belief in league circles is the Jets will land either Titans Pro Bowler Alterraun Verner or Colts free agent Vontae Davis. The Jets have been in talks with both, according to sources, and are said to be committed to landing one of them.
Verner spoke glowingly of the Jets in an interview with Adam Schein on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Radio on Monday.
“[Playing for coach Rex Ryan and the Jets] could be a [great fit],” Verner said. “Revis and [Antonio] Cromartie both thrived in that system.”
The Jets released Cromartie on Sunday, creating a void in their secondary. It is possible the Jets could sign Verner or Davis shortly after free agency begins at 4 p.m. Tuesday, although they are going to have a lot of competition. Several teams, including the Giants, have interest in Verner as well. Davis’ suitors are unknown but he is sure to have many. The cornerback market is red hot.
The Jets, who have nearly $40 million in salary-cap space, have the money to spend and Ryan loves cornerbacks.
“You’re not going to get a better all-around football player in the NFL [than me],” Verner said. “I’m going to cover, don’t shy away from contact.”
Verner said going to a winning team is more important to him than money. He said he believes the Jets and Giants can both win despite their 2013 seasons.
“Money is [a priority,] but it isn’t,” Verner said. “I look at it differently. Some look at it tangibly. I look at it as more of a respect value. I would feel more obliged to go to a team that paid me $6 or $7 million and made me one of the highest-paid players on the team than go to a team that paid me $8 or $9 million and I wasn’t one of the highest-paid players on the team.”
Verner, 25, said he thinks he could sign quickly.
The Jets also have interest in Panthers free agent corner Captain Munnerlyn, according to a source, but he is not quite in the class of Verner or Davis and may be a fallback. The 25-year-old had two interceptions last season, including one he returned for a touchdown against the Jets.
The Jets traded Revis to Tampa Bay last April for a first-round pick in the 2013 draft and the fourth-rounder this year. The Buccaneers signed Revis to a six-year, $96 million contract. The Jets drafted Defensive Rookie of the Year Sheldon Richardson with the No. 13 overall pick, acquired in the Revis deal.