One of the core pieces of the Denver Broncos' defense intends to stick around.
Aqib Talib announced he wants to return next season as the Broncos continue to reel from a disappointing 5-11 campaign.
"I definitely want to be back. I'd love to retire as a Bronco," Talib told "The Vic Lombardi Show" last week. "It's probably the funnest locker room. I met real friends on this team. We got great memories - Super Bowl 50. Not even just the Super Bowl - off the field, memories together. I love the guys on the team. I love the staff. I'd love to come back."
Talib, who was named to his fifth consecutive Pro Bowl, identified problems at quarterback as the primary reason the Broncos have missed the playoffs over the past two years.
Trevor Siemian, Paxton Lynch, and Brock Osweiler struggled immensely in 2017, and Talib believes Broncos general manager John Elway will pursue a veteran option during the winter.
"Knowing John, I don't really know if he wants to rebuild and have two more seasons of 8-8 and 7-9 and 'We're getting better,'" Talib said. "I don't know if he's ready to do that. John is ready to get back to the top because that's where he belongs. That's just John Elway. I don't really see him drafting a rookie and trying to rebuild. I see him getting a vet and getting back to the top ASAP."
Talib added that he's confident that the Broncos will return to their former place among the NFL's elite if they do add a proven quarterback.
- With h/t to The Denver Post
