The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released cornerback Darrelle Revis, FOX Sports’ Mike Garofolo first reported Wednesday and the team later confirmed.
“We have specific ideas regarding the best way to build this defense and, while you never like to lose a good player, we believe this is in the best interests of our team moving forward,” new Bucs general manager Jason Licht said in a statement. “Darrelle was a true professional here in Tampa Bay, and we wish him continued success in his career.”
The Bucs weren’t shy about their plans to trade or release the Pro Bowl corner this offseason. Because Revis wasn’t willing to renegotiate his deal, the Bucs’ only option to unload his hefty salary was to cut him after only one season.
The Bucs paid Revis $16 million ($13 million in base salary) in 2013. He’ll now be free to negotiate a new deal with a new team. The New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders and Cleveland Browns have been rumored to be front-runners to land Revis, who joined the Bucs in a trade from the New York Jets last year.
