According to Dianna Russini of ESPN, the Broncos and 49ers have discussed a potential trade involving veteran CB Aqib Talib in recent days. However, it doesn’t appear as though a trade will get done.
Instead, Russini reports that Talib prefers to be released by the Broncos so he can choose his next team with the Patriots being atop his list of preferred landing spots.
Talib has been a popular name mentioned in trade rumors over the past few months and New England has come as a team to watch if he were to be released.
The Patriots are widely expected to move on from CB Malcolm Butler, who is a free agent, this offseason, so it would make sense for New England to explore their available options the position.
Talib, 31, is a former first-round pick of the Buccaneers back in 2008. He spent four years in Tampa Bay before joining the Patriots in 2012.
The Broncos later signed him to a six-year, $57 million contract that includes $26 million guaranteed. He stands to make a base salar7 of $11 million for the 2018 season.
According to OverTheCap.com, trading or releasing Talib would free up $11 million of available cap space while creating $1 million in dead money.
In 2017, Talib appeared in 15 games for the Broncos and has recorded 31 tackles, one interception returned for touchdown, a forced fumble and seven pass defenses. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 14 cornerback out of 120 qualifying players.
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