The New York Jets introduced new general manager John Idzik on Thursday morning, one day after news surfaced that the team might be open to trading star cornerback Darrelle Revis. It was Idzik's first foray into dealing with the New York press, which was eager to get his thoughts on just that possibility.
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Idzik, however, deftly avoided the issue, responding with non-committal answers and saying it was too early to talk about trades According to ESPN.com's James Walker, Idzik said:
"I think it's way premature to say anything specific. I haven't even had the chance to sit down and thoroughly vet through our roster with Rex [Ryan] and our personnel staff. So I think it would be presumptuous to say anything."
Trading Revis would obviously not be a popular move with the fans, as the corner was considered the best in the league at his position before an early season-ending ACL injury. Owner Woody Johnson is reportedly the driving impetus for the trade discussions, a move that Rex Ryan unsurprisingly does not agree with. Ryan has publicly boasted about Revis since both have been in New York, propping him up as the top corner in the NFL.
Speculation of the move is borne out of the Jets' troubled salary cap situation. Revis, who went through highly-publicized and contentious contract negotiations in 2007, is owed $6 million in 2013 and is signed through 2014. But the Jets are now at a crossroads, where Idzik will be forced to explore ways of rebuilding a roster coming off a disappointing 6-10 season.
Trading the team's top defensive star may be the first issue he's forced to address.