If negotiating an NFL contract were as easy as negotiating for his favorite jersey number, Darrelle Revis might still be a Jet.
According to Uni-Watch.com, Revis, whom the Jets traded to the Buccaneers in April, paid $50,000 to safety Mark Barron for his No. 24, so he could wear the number he has worn throughout his career. Revis, who made four Pro Bowls and was one of the best corners in the game before a torn ACL ended his 2012 season in Week 3, was dealt after failing to agree to a deal with the Jets.
At his introductory press conference, Revis said he talked to Barron about acquiring No. 24, but didn’t say any more than that.
Revis signed a six-year contract for $96 million with no money guaranteed after the 2013 season, in which he will make $13 million. He made close to $60 million during his six years with the Jets, and held out of training camp in 2010, when he was unhappy with his $1 million salary for that season. The Jets eventually signed Revis to a a four-year $32 million guaranteed deal, but traded him for draft picks.
Not that Barron needs the money. The seventh overall pick in 2012 signed a five-year deal last year, which included more than $14 million in guaranteed money.
Players paying for uniform numbers is nothing new. In 2004, Giants quarterback Eli Manning bought an all-expenses paid trip to Florida for punter Jeff Feagles in order to acquire his No. 10 jersey.