Report: Aqib Talib, New England Patriots ‘Very Close’ To Reaching Deal

Aqib Talib could re-sign with the New England Patriots before he officially becomes a free agent.

Talib is “very close to a deal with the Patriots,” NBC Sports’ Dianna Marie Russini reported Monday night. The Patriots are offering a better deal than the Washington Redskins, who also want the cornerback, according to Russini.

Talib will hit the open market on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET, when the 2014 NFL season officially begins, if he doesn’t agree to a contract with the Patriots before then.

Talib signed a one-year, $5 million deal last offseason to stay with the Patriots after being traded by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the 2012 midseason trade deadline. He’s likely looking for a contract similar to the deals that veteran cornerbacks Brent Grimes (four years, $32 million with the Miami Dolphins) and Sam Shields (four years, $39 million with the Green Bay Packers) signed this offseason.

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