Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib has been reportedly eyeing a reunion with the New England Patriots should his team cut him, but according to Dianna Russini of ESPN, the Broncos could deny the 32-year-old the opportunity to pick his own landing spot if their current trade talks with the San Francisco 49ers pushed through. Russini, however, noted that it’s unlikely to happen.

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

Aqib Talib has two more years remaining on the six-year contract that he signed with the Broncos back in 2014. The cornerback is set to make $11 million this 2018 and $8 million more in 2019.

aqib talib, broncos
Michael Conroy/The Associated Press

Trading or cutting Talib makes a lot of sense for the Broncos, especially if their intention is to strengthen their bid to sign a free agent quarterback this offseason. The Broncos are one of the teams which have reported interests in going after the likes of Kirk Cousins and AJ McCarron.

Although Talib is now on the wrong side of 30, he remains a dependable secondary asset. He was recently named into the Pro Bowl in 2017, when he had 23 tackles and an interception in 15 games played.

RECOMMENDED (Article Continues Below)
aqib talib
Dustin Bradford/Getty Images

If indeed Denver sent Talib to the 49ers, San Francisco would find plenty of use for the veteran. The Niners had one of the worst stop units in the NFL last season, finishing 2017 ranked 25th in scoring defense, 22nd in pass defense, and 24th in total defense. In addition, San Francisco only had 10 interceptions then.

Apart from the Patriots and the Niners, Talib is also linked to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.