News broke this week that the New York Jets are considering trading Darrelle Revis, but this might not be the first time the Jets have looked to move the All-Pro cornerback.
Two sources told New York Post reporter Mark Cannizzaro that the Jets floated their interest in trading Revis before he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Week 2.
If true, that shows the Jets have been in preparation for a post-Revis world all season. Revis is due $6 million in 2013 and has a player-option for 2014, 2015 and 2016. He'll look to surpass Buffalo Bills defensive end Mario Williams' six-year, $96 million deal, a source told the New York Post. Williams' deal is the richest contract in history for a defensive player.
The Jets are expected to be $19 million over the salary cap in 2013 and likely will get their financial issues in order for next season. That probably doesn't include handing the most lucrative contract in NFL history to a defensive player.
Revis, at 27 years old, can get paid better than 30-year-old cornerbacks. He'll never have more leverage.
In a pass-first NFL, shut-down cornerbacks like Revis are worth top dollar. If the Jets can't come up with the cash, they need to move him rather than lose him for nothing.
Follow Kareem Copeland on Twitter @kareemcopeland.
