Report: Broncos, Patriots engaged in trade talks for Aqib Talib

As reported on Wednesday, the Denver Broncos have been actively shopping Aqib Talib. They appeared close to a deal with the San Francisco 49ers, but Talib is throwing a wrench into those plans as he has a very short list of teams he wants to play for. That list is the New England Patriots.

Since the Broncos are looking to part ways with Talib either way, they will have little choice but to search for a trade partner. According to Mike Klis of 9News, the Patriots are one of those teams they are engaged in trade talks with.

New England is one of several teams the Broncos have engaged in Talib trade talks. Although the Broncos hope to deal Talib by the start of free agency next Wednesday, there is no rush to move him because none of his remaining contract is guaranteed until 53-man rosters are set on September 1.

The market should be rather tepid for Talib, since most teams think Denver will cut him anyway. If there is an offer on the table, it will likely be a late round pick.

Although he is aging, Talib remains one of the premier cornerbacks in the NFL and will come at a very reasonable price for the next two years making $11 million in 2018 and $8 million in 2019. That makes him more attracting in a trade, because cutting him will likely mean he’ll be able to sign at a much higher annual rate.

The Broncos hope to trade Talib by next Wednesday, the start of the new league year. If they are going to make a play at Kirk Cousins, they’ll need to move Talib’s contract. Although Klis says the Broncos are in no rush, everything points to them needing to move him before March 14th.