New York Jets general manager John Idzik "actively" shopped star cornerback Darrelle Revis at the just-concluded 2013 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, according to the New York Daily News.
The newspaper cited an unnamed source in reporting that Idzik, who just took the job as the team's GM last month, was leading talks with multiple teams on a possible trade for the Pro Bowl player. Coach Rex Ryan and other staff members (aside from owner Woody Johnson) were "out of the loop" on the trade talks, according to the report.
Ryan said last week there was "no validity" to the trade rumors, apparently at the same time Idzik was dipping his toe in the water.
Revis, who held out in 2010 during a highly-publicized contract dispute, is entering the final season of a front-loaded four-year contract that will pay him $6 million in 2013. He is seeking a long-term deal from the Jets that would pay him as much as $16 million per year, which the club is unwilling to pay.
The trade discussions might explain the Daily News' Monday report that Jets execs did not meet with Revis' representatives in Indianapolis over the weekend.
The order of operations for Idzik makes some sense: Test the trade market and then discuss any contract extension with Revis knowing how other teams might value him. A team contemplating giving up a bevy of picks and players will want to be certain it can sign him long-term.
With Revis coming off an injury to his anterior cruciate ligament that caused him to miss all but two games last season, most teams might want some security or to see how he returns from injury before doling out top-dollar.
Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.
