It’s not necessarily a secret that the Denver Broncos have Pro Bowl cornerback Aqib Talib on the trade block. Whether a deal actually comes to fruition remains to be seen. We do know that Talib will likely be calling another city home next season.
It’s also not a well-kept secret that the San Francisco 49ers are in the market for a cornerback. The team kicked the tires on Marcus Peters before he was ultimately traded from the Kansas City Chiefs to the Los Angeles Rams. It was also one of the favorites to land Vontae Davis prior to him signing wth Buffalo.
So it shouldn’t come as a huge surprise that the Broncos and 49ers have had trade discussions surrounding Talib.
I’m told there had been trade conversations going on between
the Broncos & the 49ers for Aqib Talib. It doesn’t look like it’s going to
get done. Told Talib prefers to be released by Denver so he can chose his next team, his top choice is the New England Patriots per sources— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) March 7, 2018
As Russini notes, a trade isn’t expected to be completed here. Instead, Talib would like to be released and prefers signing with his former New England Patriots team. Under contract with a cap hit of $12 million next season, it ultimately might not be up to the 32-year-old cornerback where he plays next season. Though, San Francisco isn’t going to make a move for a player that doesn’t want to be there.
Though, this is definitely an interesting dynamic to look at with free agency about a week away. The 49ers are clearly in the market for a top-end cornerback. In fact, some have concluded that they are favored to land Los Angeles Rams veteran Trumaine Johnson. Expect GM John Lynch an Co. to make a major splash at this position once free agency starts.
With Malcolm Butler on his way out of New England, the Patriots themselves could be in the market for a corner. Should he hit free agency, Talib would be a major target for Bill Belichick and Co.