New England Patriots fans are not holding their breath when it comes to the return of Aqib Talib. The cornerback is ready for a pay day and the Patriots might not be the ones to offer it. While team owner Robert Kraft has said he would like for the shutdown cornerback to return for 2014, Talib is likely going to demand a much larger contract. If the Patriots do not offer it, several others are preparing to make a run at the veteran.
The New York Jets are in need of cornerbacks. The team traded away Darrelle Revis prior to the 2013 season, but found little help in his place. They drafted Dee Milliner in the first round, but he showed plenty of rookie struggles that caused him to be benched several times. While head coach Rex Ryan remains very hopeful that Milliner will develop into the top cornerback the team drafted him to be, they need insurance to help.
ProFootballTalk.com lists the Jets as a possible landing spot for Aqib Talib. Releasing Cromartie saved the team plenty of salary cap space. The cornerback was set to be a $15 million hit in 2014 and New York saves $9.5 million by releasing him. The two sides were unable to reach a contract agreement after Cromartie was asked to take a pay cut and now he will be on the free agent market hoping to earn money elsewhere.
The issue in signing Talib is of course the contract demands. Talib played last season on a one-year, $5 million deal. He put up a strong season with New England and is hoping for a multi-year contract as a reward. The market could work in his favor. 32-year-old Brent Grimes signed a four-year, $32 million contract. Sam Shields just earned a four-year, $39 million deal. It is likely that Talib will request the same style of contract which may or may not take the Jets out of the running.
The Washington Redskins also have Talib on their short list of favorites in free agency. According to John Keim of ESPN.com, the team has reached out to the cornerback. He has experience with general manager Bruce Allen and defensive backs coach Raheem Morris which could push him to sign with Washington. The Redskins wanted to sign Talib last season, but could not afford to do with the salary cap, something that is less of an issue this time around.