Mark Sanchez won’t be included in any Darrelle Revis trade, a source said.
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Rumors and reports this weekend that had Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez at the center of trade talks with the Buccaneers have no validity, says a league source speaking to Metro New York. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he cannot comment on player personnel decisions, said “Mark is currently not on the trading block.”
The talk that Sanchez might be unloaded from the Jets roster in a deal involving Darrelle Revis was called “laughable” by the source.
“The Jets are not trying to package Mark and Darrelle in some sort of a package deal. If they talked about it, sure, that comes up. But it was nothing serious. Call that due diligence if you will,” the source said. “The idea that the Buccaneers would take on Sanchez’s contract for just one year to bring on Darrelle? That’s laughable. The Jets don’t hold that much leverage to force that, especially not with the knee injury Revis had last year. Sanchez is not on Tampa Bay’s plans.”
In his fourth year in the league last year, Sanchez threw for just 2,883 yards and had more interceptions (18) than touchdowns (13). Last offseason, the Jets signed him to a five-year contract extension.
Tampa Bay has emerged as the team in the lead to land Revis, especially since recent reports claim they are willing to part with the No. 13 pick in a package deal to acquire the NFL’s top lockdown cornerback. The Buccaneers are thin in the secondary, especially since they traded Aqib Talib to the Patriots last season and netted a fourth-round pick in return.
Revis can opt out of his contract after this season and new Jets general manager John Idzik has shown a willingness to cut ties with the team’s established players, including cutting veterans such as linebackers Calvin Pace and Bart Scott, as well as safety Eric Smith. In addition, the Jets notably chose not to resign starting tight end Dustin Keller or running back Shonn Greene, refusing to overpay for minimal returns.
“Tampa has the picks and the need to bring in Revis. He makes them automatic contenders,” the source said. “You combine those factors and you have a team willing to pay the price. It is the ideal trading partner for the Jets right now. And the Jets finally get it that Revis is a flight risk after this year. Better to rebuild now with a flurry of picks and free up that cap space down the road. Tampa has a high enough first round pick to warrant trading Revis.”
But the Jets seem to be doing more than just looking to get rid of players.
Recent reports from ESPN New York have linked Saints running Chris Ivory as a possible trade target of the Jets. An unrestricted free agent, Ivory could be a possible target of the Jets in a sign-and-trade. Though he enters his fourth year in the league without a complete NFL season on his resume, Ivory could be an ideal power running back since the Jets opted not to pursue re-signing Greene.
Follow Jets beat writer Kristian Dyer on Twitter @KristianRDyer for all your offseason news.
