Denver Broncos likely to part ways with Aqib Talib?
According to Mike Klis, there’s a ‘good chance’ the Denver Broncos make a business decision to part with Aqib Talib this offseason…
There’s still plenty of time between now and when a final decision has to be made, but according to Mike Klis, there’s a ‘good chance’ Aqib Talib will not be a member of the Denver Broncos next season.
This one isn’t likely to sit well with many, but it’s something even Talib himself has acknowledged.
The Broncos would save about $11 million in cap space with only $1 million in dead money if Talib is traded or released prior to June 1st.
Here’s what Klis had to say when speculating about the Broncos’ potential free agency moves:
"“There is a good chance the Broncos will promote Bradley Roby to their starting left cornerback position while making a business decision to part with Aqib Talib.”Mike Klis, 9News"
How could the Broncos avoid having to make such a move?
Unfortunately, the only way is to get Talib to agree to take less than he’s worth on the open market, and that’s probably not going to happen. He would have to take a pay cut this season, and since he’s already scheduled to make just $8 million in 2019, I don’t see that happening.
More likely than just cutting Talib, the Broncos will explore trade options.
On the surface, many might wonder why an NFL team would trade for Talib’s $12 million cap figure this year, but there are a couple of reasons why he’d be a very desirable commodity on the trade market.
First and foremost, Talib is a very good player. Even now in his early 30s, he’s proven he can shut down one side of the field and bring his own unique kind of leadership to a defense.
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Second, as I just mentioned above, Talib’s cap figure drops to $8 million next season, with no dead money at all. Whatever team is signing him would essentially be getting him on a two-year, $20 million deal which is an incredible value for a player of his caliber and pedigree in this market.
Most top corners are making between $10 million and nearly $17 million per season. Talib ranks 10th on the list of highest paid corners in 2018, and ranks 16th for 2019 before any other moves are made.
That’s a bargain, but the Broncos are not in position to see it through at this point in time. They are going to have to pay a long-term contract to Bradley Roby soon, and they need to figure out what they are going to do to fix the offense, perhaps with a free agent quarterback.
Getting $11 million in cap relief would be absolutely huge for this team, even though they would have to figure out how they are going to replace Talib’s presence on defense, even after promoting Roby.
It would hurt a little inside to see the great No Fly Zone lose another member (T.J. Ward), but financially it makes sense.