Aqib Talib, Broncos come to terms on huge $57 million deal

The Broncos have found their long-term replacement for Champ Bailey, and it's not Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie.

Former Patriots cornerback Aqib Talib has agreed on a six-year, $57 million deal with the Broncos, ESPN reports. The Broncos have since confirmed the signing and the length of the deal.

Filed to ESPN: Denver has reached agreement on a 6-year, $57M deal that includes $26M gtd with former Patriots CB Aqib Talib, per sources.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2014

Talib, 28, is an eighth-year player who had four interceptions for the Patriots in 2013. He earned his first Pro Bowl berth and All Pro (second team) designation in 2013.

The move makes it less likely the Broncos will bring back DRC, though I still think that possibility remains. Rodgers-Cromartie was talking retirement before the Super Bowl; perhaps a long-term arrangement was never realistic with DRC. Maybe the Broncos have added Talib as their long-term solution and will still talk with DRC on a short-term deal.

Maybe not.

Update: Both CBS' Vic Lombardi and the Denver Post's Mike Klis report that the Broncos have withdrawn their offer to DRC. He's gone.

Either way, the Broncos can move forward with Talib and Chris Harris Jr. as starters in 2014.

And practices with Wes Welker should be fun, huh?