By Jordan Long
The Denver Broncos are looking to either trade or release cornerback Aqib Talib. Talib has 2 more years on his contract. Denver wants to shed his $11 million salary and $12 million cap hit.
Talib has been in Denver for the last 4 years. In those seasons he has 11 interceptions, 152 tackles and 1 sack. He has been a big part of the Broncos “No Fly Zone” defense and helped Denver win Super Bowl 50.
The problem with Talib is Bradley Roby who plays behind him. Roby is younger than Talib at 25 years old and can be the defender that Talib is. Roby has 6 interceptions, 168 tackles, and 3 sacks in his career. Roby has shown he is able to play opposite of Chris Harris.
The Broncos could seek to trade Talib. Teams would want him because of the way he defends. Quarterbacks can’t pass it his way because it will be tipped or intercepted. Even if it is a catch, it won’t go for many yards. Talib fits in any defense.
The biggest difficulty with trading him is his contract. He will be 32 years old when the season starts, past his prime. Not many teams will want to take on his cap hit. If a team trades for Talib, they will want to talk to him to restructure his contract so the cap hit isn’t so large. Denver might want to ask for a 2nd or 3rd round pick for Talib. That is at least something back but that may be too high for any team.
The other option is to flat out cut Talib. Denver will be taking a risk by cutting him because a division rival may sign him. The Broncos will then have to face Talib twice a year. By releasing him, Denver will have to take a cap hit of $12 million this year and $8 million next year, a lot of money in dead cap space.
The Broncos need to create cap space for this offseason to sign free agents and trying to find away to save money is a must. If Talib has to go, it has been a great run in Denver.
What do you think the Broncos will do with Aqib Talib?
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