Broncos trade Aqib Talib, close doors on ‘No Fly Zone’

The end of the “No Fly Zone” is upon us.

The Denver Broncos will trade three-time All-Pro cornerback Aqib Talib to the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network’s James Palmer. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Broncos will receive a 2018 fifth round pick in exchange for the 32-year-old. Talib will be reunited with Rams’ defensive coordinator Wade Phillips who held the same position in Denver during the Broncos’ Super Bowl 50 run.

According to ESPN’s Dianna Russini, the Broncos were in trade talks with the 49ers on Wednesday before they fell through. Talib reportedly wanted to return to New England where he played two seasons prior to coming to Denver and preferred to be released rather than traded, allowing him to choose his new home.

Bradley Roby is expected to assume Talib’s starting outside cornerback position, but the Broncos’ depth behind their starters is shaky at best. Brendan Langley and Marcus Rios are young guns who could have a chance to see the field more in 2018, but they’ll likely face some outside competition, either free agent signees or draft picks.

Talib played four seasons in Denver, where he led the vaunted “No Fly Zone” secondary. He intercepted 11 passes and only allowed 11 touchdowns, according to Pro Football Focus. Talib was voted to the Pro Bowl in each of his seasons in Denver.

Talib had several disciplinary issues while playing for the Broncos. The most notable was an incident at a nightclub in his hometown of Dallas when he accidentally shot himself in the leg. All told, he was suspended two games and fined just over $1 million while he was a Bronco, according to Spotrac.

Talib is the latest addition to a totally revamped Rams’ secondary. Los Angeles signed veteran cornerback Sam Shields Thursday afternoon and the team already agreed to a trade for 25-year-old All-Pro Chiefs cornerback Marcus Peters this offseason.