If Aqib Talib is on the trade market this offseason, where might the Denver Broncos look to make a deal? We explore five different options…
We hate Aqib Talib trade rumors as much as anyone, but the reality is, it might actually happen.
So we have to talk about it.
Mike Klis has now reported on consecutive days — in print and on radio — that Talib is likely to be shopped this offseason. Klis didn’t necessarily have to say it, but this could also lead to Talib eventually being released outright due to his $12 million salary cap hit this season, and $1 million dead money number.
Well, if Talib is going to be traded (or at least shopped in a trade), which teams around the league would be a good fit?
We’re going to take a look, but let me state something first of all:
Releasing Aqib Talib is not the only option.
Many will try and tell you that the Broncos will have no choice but to cut Talib, because of the fact that at this point, the writing is on the wall. The Broncos could very well eventually have to release Talib, but he I personally feel like he’s going to have a trade market.
Why?
First and foremost, this guy is still a very good football player. Second, Talib’s contract is very interesting in that, while it’s a little on the expensive side in 2018 ($12 million cap hit) it is substantially cheaper in 2019, dropping to $8 million, and with no dead money.
Getting a player like Talib for an average of $10 million per season is a bargain in a market that is going to exceed $15 million for top cornerbacks.
That means in 2019, some team is going to be paying half price compared to market value for Talib if they trade for him.
Let’s explore those options, which include teams that obviously have both a need for a cornerback as well as the cap space to accommodate Talib’s contract.
San Francisco 49ers
If there’s a team out there right now that I would say should make some attempt to go ‘all in’ this offseason, it’s the San Francisco 49ers.
The Niners are still a few pieces away on this roster, of course, but we can’t deny what we all saw on the field when Jimmy Garoppolo took over for this team at the quarterback position.
He still hasn’t lost.
Having Garoppolo in the fold — whether on the franchise tag or a long term deal — is huge for the 49ers, and allows them flexibility in both free agency and the NFL Draft. There’s no unpredictability at the quarterback position anymore.
With that being said, Talib would be an excellent piece for them to add to their defense. The 49ers’ secondary has a bunch of young players in it, and I think Talib’s veteran presence would be welcomed.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams went from worst to first in the NFC West last season, thanks largely to the emergence of a lot of talented pieces on offense that finally broke through.
While the hiring of Sean McVay gets the majority of the headlines, the hiring of Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator can’t be understated for this Rams team, and that would be the primary reason I’d look to the Rams as a fit for Talib in a trade.
The Rams could be losing Trumaine Johnson to free agency this offseason, but even if they don’t I think acquiring Talib would be a nice use of their available cap space. This is a team that has very few needs overall, but adding a shut down cornerback like Talib for a couple of years would be great for them in this championship window.
Miami Dolphins
I guess with the Miami Dolphins this offseason, I don’t really know where to start. This is a team that has plenty of needs across the board, but cornerback is definitely a position they’ll look to address.
Since Miami could be looking at some salary dumps as well, this is a team I would perhaps look to in a ‘player-for-player’ type of trade.
Perhaps a right tackle like Ja’Wuan James could be an attractive option to the Broncos after a solid 2017 season. The Dolphins may not be interested in such a move, but getting a player like Talib would be nice for their defense and with his salary dropping to just $8 million next year, they’d get a little cap relief in 2019 in addition to getting a stud corner at a reduced cost compared to market value.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in Darius Slay, but they need someone to pair him with.
In addition to that fact, the Lions are expected to hire Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia as their new head coach. Talib played for Patricia from 2012-2013 in New England.
The Lions also are equipped very well with cap space this offseason, having nearly $50 million available before they make any cuts at all.
The Lions would be a really good landing spot for Talib, and Detroit has made trades with the Broncos in recent years.
I think this is one scenario that could really work well.
Chicago Bears
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Staying in the NFC North, another team that could be an intriguing fit for Talib is the Chicago Bears, who have certainly had their share of former Broncos players over the past couple of years.
The Bears hired Matt Nagy as their head coach, and that guy knows a thing or two about how hard it is to throw on Aqib Talib.
As the Chicago Bears bring along a relatively young roster, they have the cap space to justify making a move for Talib, and he would add some legitimacy to a defensive backfield that is significantly lacking at the cornerback position.
The question for the Bears is whether or not they are going to continue just strictly rebuilding. If that’s the case, a veteran player with two years on his contract like Talib doesn’t make much sense to give up an asset for, but if they feel like they are close enough to contention, this could be a very worthwhile investment.