Report: Teams Calling Bucs About CB Darrelle Revis Who Could Be “Ripe To Be Dealt”

Update:

Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune spoke with Buccaneers new HC Lovie Smith about his plans for the team’s defense next year and doesn’t believe they will trade CB Darrelle Revis, despite recent reports that indicated some teams have should interest in him.

“We’re primarily going to be a man team,” Smith said, per Cummings. “Whether we win or lose is going to be based on how we play man coverage.”

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Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that more than one team has called the Buccaneers regarding CB Darrelle Revis‘s availability.

• Rapoport adds that no offers were made and it’s not apparent that any of the trade inquiries were based on real interest.

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Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times confirms that the Buccaneers have received calls regarding CB Darrelle Revis.

• According to Stroud, “many believe [Revis] could be dealt by the start of the league year.”
• Stroud believes trading Revis for draft picks would make sense as they could target upgrades at other positions while freeing up cap space in the process.

Neither Bucs HC Lovie Smith or GM Jason Licht were not available for comment on Tuesday.

Jason Fitzgerald would be “pretty surprised” if the Buccaneers were able to find any teams willing to trade for Revis and his $16 million per year salary.

Revis, 28, was just traded to the Buccaneers a year ago for the No. 13 pick in the 2012 draft, which ultimately became Sheldon Richardson and 2014 fourth-round conditional pick that can become a third round pick. Upon landing in Tampa Bay, Revis signed a six-year, $96 million contract.

His contract is interesting in that it includes no guaranteed money, but is structured so that he receives an annual base salary of $13 million along with $1.5 million roster bonuses.

Last year, he totaled 50 tackles, one sack, two interceptions and two forced fumbles over the the course of 16 games. Pro Football Focus has Revis rated as the No. 1 cornerback in the league last season.

We’ll have more as the news is available.

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Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports that “several teams” have reached out to the Buccaneers regarding the availability of CB Darrelle Revis.

• According to La Canfora, rival executives believe Revis is “ripe to be dealt at start of league year” and a trade “could be possible.”
• As of now, the Buccaneers haven’t received any “firm offers” from interested teams and are not in the process of shopping him around the league.
• Even so, league sources tell La Canfora that they “anticipate the degree of conversations to intensify as March 11 approaches.“

La Canfora mentions that Revis’ age and salary could impact their ability to get a lot of him in a trade.

“This is the first year of Tampa’s new regime with general manager Jason Licht and coach Lovie Smith,” La Canfora writes. “They did not acquire Revis and Revis may not the best fit in their new defense, with more Cover-2 principles. Smith has talked about retaining Revis publicly, but as the free agency period begins, teams are seemingly more convinced he could be had via trade. Hence the calls of inquiry.”