NBC New York – Revis Island is relocating to Tampa Bay.
The New York Jets have traded star cornerback Darrelle Revis to the Buccaneers for this year’s No. 13 overall draft pick and another selection next year.
The Buccaneers announced the deal Sunday, saying Revis agreed to a new six-year contract. Revis’ agents Neil Schwartz and Jon Feinsod confirmed the deal is worth $96 million, with no guaranteed money, but makes him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL. It includes $1.5 million annually in both roster and workout bonuses.
The Jets also receive a conditional fourth-round pick in next year’s draft that will become a third-rounder if Revis is on the Buccaneers’ roster on the third day of the 2014 league year.
Revis arrived in Tampa on Sunday to take a physical with the Buccaneers, who wanted to check out his surgically repaired left knee. He passed the physical and then agreed to contract terms with the Bucs, who then completed the deal with the Jets.
The front page of the Buccaneers’ official website posted a big picture of Revis in what appears to be a Tampa Bay jersey with the words: “Treasure Island. Darrelle Revis (CB). It’s a Bucs Life.”
Tampa Bay opens the season at — that’s right — the Jets.
Trade talk has been swirling for months involving Revis, with the Buccaneers thought all along to be the most serious suitor.
Coach Rex Ryan’s Jets currently have the ninth overall pick in the draft that starts Thursday, and now the 13th pick, so new general manager John Idzik will be busy early in the first round.
The trade leaves Antonio Cromartie as the Jets’ top cornerback, a role he flourished in last season with Revis sidelined by a knee injury. And 2010 first-rounder Kyle Wilson mostly likely would be stepping in as the other starter.
The Jets could also target a cornerback — perhaps Alabama’s Dee Milliner or Florida State’s Xavier Rhodes — in the first round.
For the Bucs, adding Revis improves a secondary that already includes cornerback Eric Wright and safeties Mark Barron and recently signed Dashon Goldson. Tampa Bay finished last in pass defense last season.
The 27-year-old Revis was entering the last season of his four-year contract signed in 2010, but was looking for a big payday that would make him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the league. A clause in that deal prevented the Jets from using the franchise or transition tag on him next year, so if he likely would have become a free agent in 2014.
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