Aqib Talib Retires, Reveals Patriots Tried to Sign Him For Specific Role

Aqib Talib would almost rejoin the New England Patriots. The veteran cornerback had the debut episode of the “Call to the Booth” podcast and used the chance to talk about the Pats. It looks like the team wanted to sign him for a specific role ahead of the upcoming season.

Talib was a Patriot in 2012-13. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick called Talib because he wanted him to work with the thight ends. It was a good offer, and Talib did a good thinking.

“(Belichick) told me he had the role of a lifetime for me,” the former cornerback said. “… He really wanted me to come in and strap tight ends.”

Talib said the team wanted to pay him up to $6 million. It’s a nice veteran contract and he almost accepted the offer.

“I was halfway out the door,” Talib said. “Got flights. I started finding apartments. … If I could make $6 million and guard tight ends all day, I’m like, ‘I’m cool.’”

Aqib Talib didn’t like the Patriots schedule

Talib checked the Patriots schedule. Hw was about to play against Travis Kelce and the Kansas City Chiefs. George Kittle and the San Francisco 49ers were also there. Mark Andrews and the Baltimore Ravens are also scary. Darren Waller and the Las Vegas Raiders have the potential to win. Well, Talib wasn’t ready to challenge four of the league’s best tight ends.

Talib is a confident person. Was he able to keep up with the pass-catchers? Talib knew that he wasn’t able to sign a contract with the Patriots. He wanted to retire.

“I looked at this f—ing schedule, and the thought, I said, ‘Can I even strap these dams tight ends?’ ” the veteran cornerback said. “And then I said, ‘Aw. It’s over with.’ Once that negative thought crossed my mind, I was like, man, my heart, my competitive edge, I ain’t really in it like that no more.”

Talib played 12 years in the league. He won five Pro Bowls and won one Super Bowl with the Denver Broncos in 2015. He had 35 interceptions since joining the NFL in 2008 and ties with Richard Sherman for second-most by any other player. Charles Woodson had more.