Broncos To Release Cornerback Champ Bailey
DENVER (CBS4)- The Denver Broncos have informed Champ Bailey he will be released in what is an expected move for the aging cornerback.
The news was first published by CBSSports.com.
CBS4 Sports' Vic Lombardi said that Bailey's agent was still negotiating with Broncos late Wednesday afternoon. The team doesn't have to officially release him until next week.
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Bailey suffered through injuries in 2013 but returned in time for Denver's Super Bowl appearance against the Seattle Seahawks.
The 12-time Pro Bowler headed to his first Super Bowl in his 15th - and most trying - NFL season, one in which he missed 11 games and parts of two others because of a nagging foot injury.
Bailey, a former first-round pick of Washington, was dealt to the Broncos in 2004 as part of a blockbuster deal for Clinton Portis.
Bailey is one of the league's top cornerbacks, but he's clearly on the downslope of his spectacular career that includes the most Pro Bowls by a defensive back in NFL history.
"There's a guy - let's see, Champ's one year younger than me so he's in his 15th season - like I said, it's hard to get to the Super Bowl. It's hard to win it, but I'm telling you it's hard to get there," Quarterback Peyton Manning said before the Super Bowl. "... I'm glad that he's back out there on the field. He's battled through some injuries and has stayed at it and been committed to his rehab."