TAMPA, Fla. - Revis Island is relocating to Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers made a bold move to fix the NFL's worst pass defense Sunday, acquiring star cornerback Darrelle Revis from the New York Jets in exchange for the 13th overall pick in this year's draft and another selection next year.
"We're thrilled. It's rare that you get a chance to add a player of this caliber to your football team. That's what motivated us," general manager Mark Dominik said, adding he would withhold further comment until a news conference today at the team's training facility.
The Bucs announced the deal Sunday, saying Revis agreed to a new six-year contract. Revis' agents Neil Schwartz and Jon Feinsod confirmed the deal is worth $96 million, with no guaranteed money, but makes him one of the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL. It includes $1.5 million annually in both roster and workout bonuses.
The Jets also receive a conditional fourth-round pick in next year's draft that will become a third-rounder if Revis, who is coming off a torn ligament in his left knee, is on the Buccaneers' roster on the third day of the 2014 league year.
"I been sitting around for the last hour trying to figure out what to say to the Jet Nation & I came up with this," Revis wrote on Twitter. "The six years I played for the New York Jets were unbelievable. I put my body on the line everyday & did everything could to help the team win. I experienced a lot & & learned a lot. The memories I had in New York I will keep dearly to my heart.
"I want to thank all the jets fans for making me feel welcome."
The trade was completed about two hours after Revis arrived in Tampa by private jet to take a physical for the Bucs, who wanted to check out his surgically repaired knee.
Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano drove his car onto the tarmac to meet the plane, greeted Revis and whisked the cornerback away to One Buccaneer Place. Soon after, the front page of the Buccaneers' official website posted a big picture of Revis in what appears to be a Tampa Bay jersey with the words: "Treasure Island. Darrelle Revis (CB). It's a Bucs Life."
Tampa Bay opens the season at - that's right - the Jets.
Trade talk had been swirling for months involving Revis, with the Bucs thought all along to be the most serious suitor. In addition to having a leaky secondary, Tampa Bay was more than $32 million under the salary cap before landing a player generally regarded as the best cornerback in football.
New Jets general manager John Idzik said during a conference call New York wasn't proactively shopping Revis, but Tampa Bay made "sincere and sustained" interest.