The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reportedly plan to release cornerback Darrelle Revis by Wednesday if no trade can be found. If Revis does hit the market, the New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles are expected to pursue him. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, reportedly reached an agreement with soon-to-be free agent defensive end Michael Johnson.
Revis's time in Tampa appears finished. NFL.com's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter both report the Buccaneers are trying to dump the veteran's $16 million salary by trading him.
If a deal can't be reached by Wednesday afternoon, Tampa Bay will reportedly settle for releasing Revis instead.
"Short of a trade in the next two days, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to release cornerback Darrelle Revis by 4 p.m. ET Wednesday, according to league sources," Schefter wrote on Monday. "The time is important because Revis has a $1.5 million roster bonus due on Wednesday, and the fourth-round pick the Buccaneers traded to the New York Jets last year would become a third-round pick if Revis is on Tampa's roster as of 4:01 Wednesday."
Schefter also reported New England and Philadelphia as contenders for Revis, if he becomes a free agent; Rapoport named the Cleveland Browns as a potential suitor.
While reportedly trying to deal Revis, the Buccaneers reached an agreement Johnson, the Cincinnati Bengals defensive end and soon-to-be free agent. ESPN's Josina Anderson reported the contract is worth $43.75 million over five years.
The deal cannot be finalized until after 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday, the start of free agency.
