Bill Belichick was very close to bringing back an old friend for the 2020 season.<\/p>\n
Speaking during his “Call To The Booth” podcast on Wednesday, former NFL cornerback Aqib Talib revealed that Belichick made a phone call this offseason with \u201cthe role of a lifetime\u201d.<\/p>\n
Belichick was interested Talib’s services to come back and defend tight ends on a one-year contract.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was halfway out the door,\u201d Talib said, that is, until he saw the list of tight ends on the Patriots schedule.<\/p>\n
“My guy, my big\u00a0homie Bill Belichick called my phone. He told me that he had the role of a lifetime for me. He really wanted me to come in and\u00a0strap tight ends. I was halfway out the door, I got flights, I started finding apartments. I could’ve got up to $5-6 million, a nice vet contract. If I can make $6 million and guard tight ends all day, I’m like, ‘I’m cool’. I kinda start going through that schedule, I seen (George) Kittle, (Travis) Kelce, (Darren) Waller.”<\/p>\n
\u201cUsually, when I get in this position and I\u2019m going to a new team, my thoughts are all positive,\u201d Talib continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis time, I looked at this [expletive] schedule and the thought \u2014 I said, \u2018Can I even strap these damn tight ends?\u2019 I said, \u2018Oh [expletive]. It\u2019s over with. Once I said that, once that negative thought crossed my mind, man, my heart, my competitive edge, I ain\u2019t really in it no more.\u201d<\/p>\n
Talib instead made the decision to retire after 12 NFL seasons instead of returning to Foxboro where he played a season and a half from 2012-2013.<\/p>\n
Check out the full conversation on his podcast below.<\/p>\n
\nMuch love to everybody who played a part in my career. Sorry I couldn\u2019t join you in New England Bill! You\u2019re welcome to come on the show! ?
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Get the full details with the link in my bio and follow @calltothebooth<\/a> for more. pic.twitter.com\/cuUuQVkzQm<\/a><\/p>\n— AqibTalib21 (@AqibTalib21) September 9, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n