National Football League

Patriots can't afford to let Aqib Talib slip through their fingers

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Patriots have a choice to make this offseason.

Cornerback Aqib Talib is set to hit free agency, as is wide receiver Julian Edelman. Which player should New England focus its efforts to keep from walking away once open bidding starts?

Talib is a rare corner, a big physical player who sets the tone for the Patriots secondary. Although he might not be the top available option in free agency, he's a perfect fit in Bill Belichick's defense and has the ability to shut down big receivers. However, don't fall asleep on Edelman. The little-known wide receiver actually caught 105 passes in 2013 and was the closest thing Tom Brady had to a reliable receiver.

In a perfect world, the Patriots are able to keep both players. But we don't live in a perfect world. Joel Klatt, Kirk Morrison, Ronde Barber and Scott Fujita debate the Patriots' options going into the offseason.

You can watch the video above.