Pessimistic about the chances of re-signing Darrelle Revis before he becomes a free agent next year, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson is open to trading the star cornerback, a person familiar with Johnson's thinking said Wednesday night.
Revis' contract will void after the 2013 season, and there is a clause in the deal that prohibits the Jets from using the franchise tag.
If they don't sign Revis to an extension, the Jets could lose him as a free agent.
A tweet from Revis read: "I'm speechless by far but more importantly I feel more upset for the jet nation for having to go through this!!"
At the introductory news conference Thursday for new general manager John Idzik, the GM wouldn't lend any substance to possible roster changes.
"I can't comment, really," Idzik said. "I'm literally hours into the building. That we're going to save for our evaluation process."
The fact that Revis is just three months removed from major knee surgery complicates the matter. There also are salary-cap ramifications that could hinder a potential trade.
Johnson has "no confidence" in the Jets' ability to re-sign Revis, the person familiar with the owner's thinking said. Despite the knee injury, Revis could seek more than $16 million per year, which could be prohibitive for the cap-strapped Jets. They're already $19.4 million over the 2013 salary cap.
Revis is due to make $6 million in 2013, including $3 million in base pay and the rest in various bonus money.
The Jets could gauge interest around the league, hoping to receive fair-market value for Revis. But that will be difficult, considering the nature of his injury and his steep contract demands.
CBSSports.com first reported that Johnson wants to explore a possible trade involving Revis.
The development came on the eve of Idzik's formal introduction as the Jets' general manager. The former Seattle Seahawks executive has the final say on personnel matters, and the Revis showdown looms as one of the most pressing items on his offseason agenda.
The Jets consider Revis one of the best players in team history, but they've previously engaged in two acrimonious negotiations with his agents.
Revis sat out the 2010 preseason in a contract dispute, eventually signing what was described as a short-term, Band-Aid deal. It was a one-year extension to the remaining three years -- a total of $46 million.
Coming off a 6-10 season, the Jets need to replenish their roster and solve their salary-cap issues. Johnson may see Revis as a bargaining chip that could accomplish those goals.
Despite his contract issues, Revis never has expressed a desire to play elsewhere.
"I definitely want to be here," Revis said the day after the season. "This is where I live, this is the team I got drafted by."
In recent days, however, Johnson has talked privately about life without Revis, expressing concern about what it would cost to keep him.
Information from ESPNNewYork.com's Jane McManus was used in this report.