Aqib Talib Retires, Even Though His 'Big Homie' Bill Belichick Offered Him 'the Role of a Lifetime'
Aqib Talib on his decision to retire:
"I told myself I needed to play one more year. As long as someone gives me a nice check, of course I'm coming. Or, if someone gives me a nice ass role.
"My guy - my Big Homie - Bill Belichick, he called my phone, Harrison. He called my phone, man, and told me he had the role of a lifetime for me. So he really wanted me to come in and strap tight ends.
"I was halfway out the door! I got flights. I started finding apartments. I could've gotten up to 5 1/2, 6 million dollars, nice vet contract. If I could get $6 million and guard tight ends all day, I'm like 'Cool!'
So I start going through that schedule. I start seeing [George] Kittles, [Travis] Kelce, [Darren] Waller. So usually when I get in this position, I'm going to a new team, my thoughts are all positive. ... But this time, Harrison? I looked at this fucking schedule. And the thoughts [makes air quotes], 'Can I even strap these tight ends?' And I said, 'Ah, shit. It's over, man."
Aqib Talib came this close to being a Patriot for one more year??? I'd be lying if I said I'm not crushed by the disappointment of this not happening.
Talib was the transformative figure that made the Patriots a championship caliber defense when his Big Homie Bill Belichick acquired him at the trading deadline in 2012. Two seasons earlier, they gave up the third most passing yards in the league. The year before it was the second most. They'd developed such a nasty habit of laying down for bad offenses and making them look good, it was like they were running a Fantasy Camp for mediocre quarterbacks. Talib's presence alone made them legitmate. And he hadn't pulled a hammy early in the AFC championship game against Baltimore, or if Wes Welker hadn't taken him out with that kill shot in the 2013 title game in Denver (the one Big Homie called "one of the worst plays I've ever seen" while refusing to mention Welker by name) he might have led this team to a championship. This would've been his chance to right those injustices.
More to the point, Talib is straight up one of the most entertaining guys to appear on that roster in the Dynasty Era. Just a quote machine of the highest caliber. And a totally genuine personality who isn't playing a character or trying to promote a brand or anything of the sort. He's just one of those naturally hilarious guys who makes his postgame locker interviews appointment viewing.
But alas, it was not meant to be. How often do you hear it said that cornerbacks need to be uber-confident to the point it gets mistaken for arrogance? It's a necessary part of the job. So if one of the best cover corners of his generation isn't feeling good about staying with the best tight ends in the league, he has no business being on the field. And you have to admire the hell out of Talib coming to that realization on his own, when he could've made $6 million playing for his guy. His Big Homie.
The upside to this? Is that while we've lost Aqib Talib the defensive back, we've gained Aqib Talib the broadcaster. Any day he's in front of a microphone is a good day. And the more he's free to say things like "this fucking schedule" the better. Though I'd still love to see him on Monday Night Football or whatever. Somebody please hire this man.
Happy retirement and congrats on a great career.