New England Patriots
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2012
On November 1st, 2012, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded Talib and a 2013 seventh – round draft pick to the New England Patriots for a 2013 fourth – round draft pick(40). The Buccaneers went on to draft defensive end William Gholston with their fourth – round pick and the Patriots selected defensive end Michael Buchanan with their seventh – round pick.On November 12th, 2012, Talib returned from his four – game suspension. Head coach Bill Belichick named Talib one of the starting cornerbacks with Kyle Arrington after moving Devin McCourty to free safety. On November 18, 2012, Talib made his New England Patriots debut against the Indianapolis Colts and recorded seven combined tackles, defended a pass, and returned an interception form rookie quarterback Andrew Luck for a 59 – yard touchdown as the Patriots routed the Colts 59 – 24. Talib was plagued with a hip injury throughout the season and missed the Patriots’ week 17 28 – 0 win against the Miami Dolphins(41). He finished the 2012 season with 40 combined tackles (33 solo), ten pass deflections, two interceptions, and a touchdown in ten games and nine starts.(42)
The New England Patriots finished atop the AFC East with a 12 – 4 record and were given a first – round bye. On January 13th, 2013, Talib started his first career playoff game and recorded ten combined tackles as the Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 41 – 28. The following week, they were defeated 28 – 13 in the AFC Championship by the eventual Super Bowl XLVII champion Baltimore Ravens.(43)
2013
On March 16th, 2013, the Patriots signed Talib to a one – year, $4.86 million dollar contract that includes $4.57 million dollars guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3 million dollars.(44)(45)
He was named one of the starting cornerbacks, alongside Alfonzo Dennard to begin the regular season(46). On September 12th, 2013, Talib recorded two combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions during a 13 – 10 win against the New York Jets(47). He missed three consecutive games (weeks 7 – 9) after aggravating his hip injury that plagued him over the last two seasons(48). He finished the 2013 season with 41 combined tackles (35 solo), 14 pass deflections, and four interceptions in 13 games and 13 starts(49). Talib was targeted 65 times and allowed 29 receptions (44%) for 471 yards and two touchdowns in 2013.(50) The Patriots repeated as AFC East champions and received a first – round bye with a 12 – 4 record. After defeating the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round, they went on to face the Denver Broncos, only to lose the game 26 – 16. Talib left in the second quarter after taking a hit by former teammate Wes Welker and did not return. Although it was suspected he suffered an injury to his ribs at first, it was later discovered Talib suffered a knee injury(51). Head coach Bill Belichick stated “As it turned out, it was a key play in the game.” Without Talib, Kyle Arrington and rookie Logan Ryan were tasked with On March 16th, 2013, the Patriots signed Talib to a one – year, $4.86 million dollar contract that includes $4.57 million dollars guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3 million dollars.(44)(45)
He was named one of the starting cornerbacks, alongside Alfonzo Dennard to begin the regular season(46). On September 12th, 2013, Talib recorded two combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions during a 13 – 10 win against the New York Jets(47). He missed three consecutive games (weeks 7 – 9) after aggravating his hip injury that plagued him over the last two seasons(48). He finished the 2013 season with 41 combined tackles (35 solo), 14 pass deflections, and four interceptions in 13 games and 13 starts(49). Talib was targeted 65 times and allowed 29 receptions (44%) for 471 yards and two touchdowns in 2013.(50) The Patriots repeated as AFC East champions and received a first – round bye with a 12 – 4 record. After defeating the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round, they went on to face the Denver Broncos, only to lose the game 26 – 16. Talib left in the second quarter after taking a hit by former teammate Wes Welker and did not return. Although it was suspected he suffered an injury to his ribs at first, it was later discovered Talib suffered a knee injury(51). Head coach Bill Belichick stated “As it turned out, it was a key play in the game.” Without Talib, Kyle Arrington and rookie Logan Ryan were tasked with covering Demaryius Thomas as the Patriots’ defense gave up 505 yards, the most during Belichick’s tenure with New England at the time(52). Talib’s 2013 performance was good enough for a selection to the 2013 Pro Bowl and a second – team selection to the 2013 All – Pro Team, both of which were his first career selections. He was ranked 79th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.(53)
On March 16th, 2013, the Patriots signed Talib to a one – year, $4.86 million dollar contract that includes $4.57 million dollars guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3 million dollars.(44)(45)
He was named one of the starting cornerbacks, alongside Alfonzo Dennard to begin the regular season(46). On September 12th, 2013, Talib recorded two combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions during a 13 – 10 win against the New York Jets(47). He missed three consecutive games (weeks 7 – 9) after aggravating his hip injury that plagued him over the last two seasons(48). He finished the 2013 season with 41 combined tackles (35 solo), 14 pass deflections, and four interceptions in 13 games and 13 starts(49). Talib was targeted 65 times and allowed 29 receptions (44%) for 471 yards and two touchdowns in 2013.(50) The Patriots repeated as AFC East champions and received a first – round bye with a 12 – 4 record. After defeating the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round, they went on to face the Denver Broncos, only to lose the game 26 – 16. Talib left in the second quarter after taking a hit by former teammate Wes Welker and did not return. Although it was suspected he suffered an injury to his ribs at first, it was later discovered Talib suffered a knee injury(51). Head coach Bill Belichick stated “As it turned out, it was a key play in the game.” Without Talib, Kyle Arrington and rookie Logan Ryan were tasked with On March 16th, 2013, the Patriots signed Talib to a one – year, $4.86 million dollar contract that includes $4.57 million dollars guaranteed and a signing bonus of $3 million dollars.(44)(45)
He was named one of the starting cornerbacks, alongside Alfonzo Dennard to begin the regular season(46). On September 12th, 2013, Talib recorded two combined tackles, two pass deflections, and two interceptions during a 13 – 10 win against the New York Jets(47). He missed three consecutive games (weeks 7 – 9) after aggravating his hip injury that plagued him over the last two seasons(48). He finished the 2013 season with 41 combined tackles (35 solo), 14 pass deflections, and four interceptions in 13 games and 13 starts(49). Talib was targeted 65 times and allowed 29 receptions (44%) for 471 yards and two touchdowns in 2013.(50) The Patriots repeated as AFC East champions and received a first – round bye with a 12 – 4 record. After defeating the Indianapolis Colts in the divisional round, they went on to face the Denver Broncos, only to lose the game 26 – 16. Talib left in the second quarter after taking a hit by former teammate Wes Welker and did not return. Although it was suspected he suffered an injury to his ribs at first, it was later discovered Talib suffered a knee injury(51). Head coach Bill Belichick stated “As it turned out, it was a key play in the game.” Without Talib, Kyle Arrington and rookie Logan Ryan were tasked with covering Demaryius Thomas as the Patriots’ defense gave up 505 yards, the most during Belichick’s tenure with New England at the time(52). Talib’s 2013 performance was good enough for a selection to the 2013 Pro Bowl and a second – team selection to the 2013 All – Pro Team, both of which were his first career selections. He was ranked 79th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.(53)
Denver Broncos
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2014
On March 11th, 2014, the Denver Broncos signed Talib to a six – year, $57 million dollar contract that included $26 million dollars guaranteed. He was reunited with his former college teammate Chris Harris Jr. and former Patriots teammate Wes Welker(54). The contract was heavily criticized by members of the media and analysts, many opining that the Broncos overpaid for Talib(55)(56). The New England Patriots also offered Talib a contract, but he stated it was a business decision and both parties could not agree on the amount of guaranteed money and time of payouts. He signed with the Broncos on the first day of free agency and stated he knew beforehand that he would end up signing with them. The joining of the Broncos would bring in a major piece of the No Fly Zone.
Talib was named the starting cornerback, along with Chris Harris Jr., replacing Champ Bailey and Dominique Rodgers – Cromartie. Head coach John Fox revamped the secondary by signing Talib, safety T.J. Ward, and drafting cornerback Bradley Roby in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft.(57)
On October 12, 2014, Talib recorded four solo tackles, two pass deflections, and returned an interception by Geno Smith for a 22 – yard touchdown in the fourth quarter of their 31 – 17 victory against the New York Jets(58). Talib missed the Broncos’ week 13 victory in Kansas City against the Chiefs with a hamstring injury(59). In week 15, he made a season – high eight combined tackles, deflected three passes, and had an interception in the Broncos’ 22 – 10 win in San Diego against the Chargers. The following week, Talib made four combined tackles, tied his season – high of three pass deflections, and returned an interception off Cincinnati Bengals’ quarterback Andy Dalton for a 33 – yard touchdown in a 37 – 28 loss. On December 23rd, 2014, Talib was voted to his second career Pro Bowl, along with eight teammates(60). In week 17, Talib recorded four combined tackles and made his first career sack on Derek Carr as the Broncos routed the Oakland Raiders 47 – 14. He finished his first season in Denver with a career – high tying 64 combined tackles (55 solo), a career – high 16 pass deflections, four interceptions, and two touchdowns in 15 games and 15 starts.(61)
The Denver Broncos finished first in the AFC West with a 12 – 4 record, but were eliminated from the playoffs after losing 24 – 13 in the AFC divisional round to the Indianapolis Colts(62). Talib made four solo tackles and a pass deflection during the game. On January 25th, 2015, Talib appeared in the 2015 Pro Bowl as part of Team Carter and recorded four solo tackles and a pass deflection as they were defeated by Team Irvin 32 – 28.(61)
2015
Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak was named the new head coach after the Denver Broncos and head coach John Fox agreed to part ways. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips chose to keep Talib and Chris Harris Jr. as the starting cornerbacks with Bradley Roby as nickelback.(63). He started the Denver Broncos’ season – opener against the Baltimore Ravens’ and recorded three combined tackles, two pass deflections, and intercepted quarterback Joe Flacco and returned it for a 51 – yard touchdown in their 19 – 13 victory. On November 8th, 2015, Talib poked the eye of Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen late in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ 27 – 24 loss. The Broncos were given a 15 – yard penalty with the Colts receiving a first down and ended any chance of a comeback by the Broncos. Talib was later suspended for the Broncos’ week 10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs(64). He finished the season with 45 combined tackles (39 solo), 13 pass deflections, two interceptions, and two touchdowns in 15 games and 15 starts.(65)
The Denver Broncos finished with a 12 – 4 record, received a first - round bye and defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers 23 – 16 in the AFC Divisional round. On January 24th, 2016, Talib tipped a two – point conversion pass by Tom Brady which the Broncos intercepted in the end zone, preventing a 20 – 18 fourth quarter lead as they defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship.(66)
On February 7th, 2016, Talib appeared in his first career Super Bowl and recorded five solo tackles and deflected two passes during their 24 – 10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. He got off to a bad start in the game when he was assessed two personal foul penalties in the first half for clashing with wide receiver Corey Brown, first for taunting him after a sack, then for viciously grabbing his face mask to prevent him from scoring a touchdown. Later, Talib admitted to reporters that he committed the face – mask penalty on purpose(67)(68). Talib was fined $26,044 for his feud with Brown(69). Talib was ranked 34th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2016.(70)
2016 Talib had 12 pass deflections and three interceptions in 2016, including one returned 46 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter in week 2 against the Indianapolis Colts(71)(72). It was his franchise – record fifth interception return touchdown as a member of the Broncos. Despite missing three games due to injury, on December 20th, Talib was named to the 2016 Pro Bowl and was named First – team All – Pro along with fellow Bronco cornerback Chris Harris Jr.(73)(74) He was also ranked 37th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017.(75)
2017 On September 17th, 2017, in week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, Talib recorded a career – long 103 – yard pick six off quarterback Dak Prescott late in the fourth quarter of the 42 – 17 victory(76). During week 12 against the Oakland Raiders, Talib got into a fight with Michael Crabtree, resulting in both players being ejected(77)(78). The next day, both combatants were suspended for two games(79). However, the suspension was reduced to one game following a joint appeal(80). On December 19th, 2017, Talib was named to his fifth straight Pro Bowl(81). Talib finished the 2017 season with 31 combined tackles (23 solo), seven pass deflections, an interception, and a touchdown in 15 games and 15 starts(82). He was ranked 53rd by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.(83)
Los Angeles Rams
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On March 8th, 2018, the Broncos agreed to a trade that sent Talib to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for a fifth – round pick in 2018 NFL draft(84). The deal became official on March 14th, at the start of the NFL year.(85)
Talib entered the 2018 season as a starting cornerback alongside fellow trade acquisition Marcus Peters. In week 3, Talib suffered an ankle injury that required surgery. He was placed on injured reserve on September 26, 2018(86). He was activated off injured reserve on November 30th(87). Talib returned in week 13 where the Rams defeated the Detroit Lions 30 – 16. In week 15, Talib recorded his first interception of the season in a 30 – 23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He finished the season with 23 tackles, 1 interception, and 1 forced fumble(88). Talib helped the Rams defeat the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints in the playoffs to reach Super Bowl LIII where the Rams lost 13 – 3 to Talib’s former team the New England Patriots. Talib recorded 4 tackles in the game.(89)
Talib entered the 2019 season as a starting cornerback for the Rams. He was placed on injured reserve on October 14th, 2019, with a rib injury.(9
posted Tuesday August 12, 2025
