The Patriots connection to Tampa Bay Pro Bowl cornerback Darrelle Revis ramped up a bit Tuesday prior to the start of free agency.
According to a to a Twitter post from respected ESPN information man Adam Schefter, "Two teams to watch on CB Darrelle Revis once Tampa releases him: Philadelphia and New England (Jets fans shudder)."
PREPPING FOR FREE AGENCY
Free agency starts today. Get caught up on who the Patriots free agents are and the top free agents the team could target.
- WATCH: Top 3 Patriots free agents
- WATCH: Defensive free agents
- WATCH: O-Line Free Agents
- WATCH: Tight ends on the table
- READ: Patriots choose not to tag Talib
- REPORTS: Patriots re-sign Aiken, talk with Edelman
- READ: Free Agent Preview - Offense
- Report: Patriots 'very close' to re-signing Talib
- Top 20 Patriots Free Agents of All-Time
- AFC Free agent capsules
- Reports: Patriots re-sign TE Hoomanawanui
Revis played all 16 games for the Bucs last fall as he came back from a torn ACL in his first year in Tampa Bay. He was traded from the Jets to Bucs for a first-round and a conditional mid-round pick last offseason and signed new contract with Tampa Bay that essentially pays him $16 annually in salary and small bonuses. That means his yearly cap number is also $16 million.
Apparently the new regime in Tampa Bay has decided that $16 million is too much, even for one of the league's top cornerbacks. Reports have indicated that the Bucs have been trying to deal Revis, but will release him this week if a deal can't be found elsewhere.
It's interesting that Schefter includes the Patriots as a team to watch regarding Revis given reports early on Tuesday that indicated New England is "very close" to re-signing Pro Bowl cornerback Aqib Talib. It would seem unlikely that the team could afford to pay both shut-down corners, but nothing can be considered out of the question.
Would you want both Revis and Talib? Is that too much to invest in one position, even cornerback? Do you think there is a legitimate chance Revis could end up in New England? Let us know with comment below!
