Rumors Have Darrelle Revis "Speechless" but Jets Should Still Trade Cornerback

Less than a week into the job, the Jets' new GM John Idzik is already under the microscope of the New York media.

The biggest news so far is the report that owner Woody Johnson is willing to trade cornerback Darrelle Revis before his contract expires in 2014.

The Jets have now strayed away from the subject, and Revis is upset about the rumors. 

From a communications standpoint, Idzik should have alerted all of the players regarding the situation.

Revis, nor any other player for that matter, should hear about trade rumors from the media. It should first come from within the organization.

Whether or not the report that Johnson wants to trade Revis is accurate is actually irrelevant at this point. It's no secret the Jets need to make roster changes, because the team is $19 million over the salary cap.

Although he's coming off a knee injury, Revis is still arguably the best player on the team. He may not be the first man on the trading block—but again, with a figure like $19 million looming, anyone can be shopped.

The Jets should just come forward and admit that they are willing to trade Revis, along with some other players. Notably, according to NYJetsCap.com, cutting tackle Jason Smith and safety Eric Smith would save the team $12 million and $3 million in cap space respectively.

But between Revis and Antonio Cromartie, trading Revis provides more long-term benefits. Even with the knee injury, Revis should is still the better corner and should be able fetch more trade value than Cromartie, whether it's a player or a draft pick.

As Jason Fitzgerald of NYJetsCap.com notes, trading Cromartie now would save the Jets $8.25 million in cap space this year, but that leaves Revis as the clear No. 1 defensive player. As such, Revis will have a case that he deserves top defensive player money, like the $100 million contract Mario Williams received from the Buffalo Bills.

Essentially, Revis would carry a much bigger cap number in the coming years just to save $8.25 million now.

If the Jets trade Revis now, it will cost them a total of $6 million, but they have an opportunity to bolster the roster. Cromartie would be the No. 1 cornerback, but he would not command a salary that Revis could. 

Trading Revis now also allows the Jets to dictate what team he goes to. If the Jets are unable to re-sign him next season and lose him to free agency, then he has an opportunity to hurt them in the future as a member of the Patriots, Dolphins or Bills.

The Jets currently have 50-1 odds to win the Super Bowl in 2014. The Jets are not built to win right now, especially with so many questions at quarterback. Idzik needs to focus managing the salary cap while preparing a team that can compete in the future.