The Rams will reunite Aqib Talib and Wade Phillips, and the Broncos will receive compensation for a cornerback they’ve been trying to unload.
Los Angeles agreed to acquire Talib from Denver on Thursday, James Palmer and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com report (on Twitter). This continues a busy offseason for the Rams, who will now have two of the best corners to come through the AFC West this decade on their team.
Talib will net the Broncos a fifth-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
The 32-year-old cornerback has two years remaining on the six-year Broncos-constructed contract and will count $12MM toward the Rams’ cap this season. This trade won’t involve any adjustment to Talib’s contract, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports (via Twitter).
Schefter reports (on Twitter) Talib wanted to again play for Phillips or Bill Belichick, and this helped dictate the trade terms. The 49ers and Patriots had surfaced as suitors who discussed the 11th-year cornerback with the Broncos, but Denver dealt with the Rams and pair Talib and Marcus Peters.
While the Rams are gambling on a tandem featuring two polarizing corners, they now have two of the three corners from the 2016 All-Pro first team. The Broncos previously enjoyed that setup, with Talib and fellow ’16 All-Pro Chris Harris being a four-season tandem for a dominant defense, but Talib’s age and salary did not line up for a team that is pursuing the most expensive free agent in NFL history in Kirk Cousins.
In Peters and Talib, the Rams will have two of the NFL’s best defensive playmakers. Peters is on a record takeaway pace for a cornerback, and Talib sits fourth in NFL history with 10 interceptions returned for touchdowns. That figure leads all active players by three.
While known plenty for his on- and off-field antics that caused headaches and suspensions, Talib has been one of the NFL’s best cornerbacks for many years. He stabilized his career in Denver and was a four-time Pro Bowler since signing with the Broncos in 2014. The former Patriot was a key component of a 2015 Broncos defense that became an all-time great unit, helping Denver to a third Super Bowl title. And Talib thrived under Phillips a year later as well en route to his first All-Pro honor.
Talib will reunite with Kayvon Webster, who may be the only notable corner to see time for both the 2017 and ’18 Rams. The Rams have now agreed to trade for Peters and Talib and also took a flier on former Packers top corner Sam Shields. Trumaine Johnson is expected to depart, and Nickell Robey-Coleman may follow him out of L.A.
The Rams continue to vacillate between shedding salary and taking on money in blockbuster trades. They’ve also created significant cap space over the past week by trading Robert Quinn and Alec Ogletree away, with Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (Twitter link) categorizing the departing players as poor fits for Phillips’ scheme.
The Broncos now have 11 picks in the coming draft and have created $11MM in cap space, pushing their total north of $35MM. While that’s still less than the Vikings or Jets — the other primary Cousins suitors — have, it puts the franchise in better position to make a competitive offer.
[RELATED: Rams Depth Chart]
Damn him and Peters
I called this when it was first reported that the Broncos were shopping him a few weeks ago
No one cares “IF” you called it! What do you want a metal or a chest to pin it on?
Medal*
Lol metal, really?
Right, if you’re going to be rude and insulting, get your words right!
Auto correct has a mind of its own, butt thanx Pitches/aias finally some one caught my faults. And thanx for told me for impruving my grammer as u see in my ans i dont have batter grammer and i have a speling mistakes but i m good speaker.
It was just a statement because I was excited that I predicted it correctly but have a good day kind sir
The Rams are making moves. Wasn’t sure if I was agreeing with the moves they have been making and we still won’t know until the season is underway but I am starting to think theirs a plan behind all the moves and they should be better. We will see though. Not a Rams fan but very interested seeing how these trades pay off.
They are getting strong in the Secondary and they are going to develop at the LB spots. I think there are FA LBs who’s are under 27 they will target and will sign to team friendly deals. Use the draft for D-line and O-line. It will be interesting come March 14!!
They traded Quinn and Ogletree but then got Talib and Peters. They are just reshuffling their defense. Also, since they have traded for two DBs(and signed Shields)it is pretty much a guarantee Trumaine and Nickell are gone.
They’re doing well in retooling too. Aqib seems like he has a lot left in the tank and needed a change of scenario or motivation, going back to Wade Philips alongside Marcus Peters is a gamble worth taking on two of the most explosive corners with “attitude problems” in a genius defensive coordinator’s scheme.
Rams ain’t playing games
Jesus
Calling a Rams-Pats super bowl right now, barring major injuries. Of course it’s still early. Imagine how great of a game that could end up being though. Two of the best corners in the league who are polarizing figures going up against one of, if not the greatest QB of all time. Plus you have Talib going up against his former team, a great young RB in Gurley, and the Pats haven’t made their moves yet this year but I’m sure they have some tricks up their sleeve.
If all the Broncos got for Talib was a 5th. Seems like the Seahawks won’t get much better for Sherman
Sam, what is the Ram’s cap situation after this deal?
“… but Talib’s age and salary did not line up for a team that is pursuing the most expensive free agent in NFL history in Kirk Cousins.”
Well isn’t that great. Trade away all the good players to make room for Cousins. How is that going to help?