The Denver Broncos are making moves ahead of free agency. The team is working to get as much salary cap space as possible before asking Peyton Manning to restructure his current deal. As a result, players are getting released before March 11 and Champ Bailey is finding that out the hard way.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports the Denver Broncos have parted ways with veteran cornerback Bailey. The 12-time Pro Bowler was owed a $1 million roster bonus on March 15 and the Broncos were not ready to pay that. He had one year remaining on his current contract and after missing time for a Lisfranc foot injury the Broncos were ready to move on.
At 36, Bailey stresses he has no plans to retire at this point in his career. Despite putting up career-low numbers across the board this season, he believes he still has some time left on the field. The move by Denver was expected. After their defense got torched in the Super Bowl, many have predicted the team was searching for significant upgrades.
Denver's name has been tossed around in the Darrelle Revis trade rumor reports. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear willing to listen to offers for the shutdown cornerback. Revis would be an expensive acquisition. The Buccaneers gave up a lot to get him and would likely at least request one first-round draft pick in return for the star. Denver might not be willing to give up that much considering they have other needs that need to be met through the draft.
Revis would be a huge upgrade in production over Bailey. Currently one of the best secondary players in the league, he would give Denver a strong defensive push they did not have last year. Revis is also getting paid at least $16 million more than most players in his position, something that could also play a factor in whether or not the Broncos trade for him.
If Revis is not an option, Aqib Talib could be. The cornerback is hitting free agency after finishing off a one-year deal with the New England Patriots. Talib is a veteran, but he proved this season he can still be a shutdown cornerback when healthy. However, Talib is not looking for another one-year deal. He is ready for a payday from any team willing to give it to him.
Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald reports that Talib wants to be paid like a top-of-the-market corner in free agency. Brent Grimes got the ball rolling when the Miami Dolphins signed him to a four-year, $32 million extension with $16 million in guaranteed money. Talib is younger than Grimes which works in his favor, but his off-the-field issues could hurt him.
The Broncos are ready to make a move and sign one of the top cornerbacks in the game. The Revis trade is certainly on the table, but Talib might be easier to sign.