The Broncos and 49ers have discussed a trade that would have sent cornerback Aqib Talib to San Francisco, according to Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN.com (on Twitter). However, that doesn’t look likely to go down at this time. Meanwhile, Talib’s preference is to be released so that he can sign with a team of his choosing and his top choice is the Patriots, Russini hears. 
Talib has been identified as a trade/release candidate for the Broncos due to his $11MM cap number in 2018. The veteran does not have a no trade clause, but any team acquiring him would want to know that he on board with joining them, so he effectively has the ability to scuttle a deal. That may be the case with the 49ers, who may also want Talib to adjust his contract.
Talib has two years remaining on the six-year, $57MM pact he signed with Denver in 2014. With Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby already in-house, the Broncos can afford to move on from him. What they really can’t afford to do, however, is keep hm at his current rate. The Broncos have several needs to address this offseason, chiefly at the quarterback position.
Signing with the Patriots would represent something of a homecoming for Talib, who spent parts of two seasons with New England earlier this decade. The Patriots already have one high-priced cornerback in Stephon Gilmore, but they’re expected to lose Malcolm Butler to free agency. If Talib is willing to accept less than the $11MM base salary he’s scheduled to collect, New England would seem like an ideal destination.
The 49ers, meanwhile, also make sense as a landing spot for Talib given the state of their secondary and their ample amount of cap space. San Francisco could certainly take on Talib at his current salary, but it’s possible the club has asked Talib to accept a pay reduction under the terms of a trade. After ranking 28th in pass defensive DVOA a season ago, the 49ers can use all the help they can get in their defensive backfield.
Talib, 32, appeared in 15 games with the Broncos in 2017, a campaign which marked his fourth in Denver. Despite his advanced age, Talib is still playing like one of the NFL’s premier cornerbacks. Pro Football Focus graded him as the 15th-best CB in the league, while Talib finished third in Football Outsiders’ success rate.
I’d rather not have talib with our young defense.
Pass on this cancer! Butler, Gaines or Johnson please
He’s a good CB but I wouldn’t want him at that price. Yea they have the money but why spend so much on one guy that for one doesn’t want to be there and for two is going to start declining here really soon when you can a younger, cheaper CB who’s just as good and doesn’t come with the baggage this guy comes with. Just my opinion but I’d pass. I know we need a CB but I’d rather have Butler or T. Johnson or even Prince Amukurah (however it’s spelled lol)
Also wouldn’t want his off field baggage He’s a bonehead. After what happened with foster they need veterans that have a good presence on and off the field to help groom these young guys coming in.
As a Pats fan he’d be an upgrade over everyone but Gilmore. I’d rather Sherman though
I think we all love Sherman but he is coming off an Achilles injury and he’s not 25 so he is a big risk right now. Can’t trade too much for him. If he is released and he signs a incentive deal then that works. Talib will probably be released as well. Why make a trade paying him 11M when you know the Broncos will end up releasing him. They don’t want that 11M on their books with 2 good corners on their roster. Just want it out.
Wait it out