Champ Bailey put his suburban Denver home on the market. His services as one of the NFL's best cornerbacks might be next.
Bailey's agent, Jack Reale, told *The Denver Post* on Wednesday that the 10-time Pro Bowl cornerback is selling his Littleton, Colo., house. The development was a bit of a surprise, considering it came one day after new Broncos coach John Fox told the newspaper that contract talks with Bailey had resumed.
"He's a guy we have strong feelings about," Fox said, according to *The Post*. "We've had some dialogue there. There have been discussions.
"He's a guy we definitely want to bring back. You never know how things like that work out, but we're moving forward as best we know how."
Bailey, a 12-year NFL veteran, will be eligible for unrestricted free agency once the NFL and its players' union agree to a new collective bargaining agreement. The current deal expires March 3.
Reale told The Post that he wouldn't comment on the current state of negotiations. He also wouldn't reveal what Bailey selling his house means for his future in Denver, although the cornerback has said he wants to join a title-contending team. The Broncos tied for the second-worst record in the NFL this past season at 4-12.
Broncos executive vice president of football operations John Elway said Thursday on Twitter that a new contract for Bailey is a priority and that the team has been engaged in constructive talks with the cornerback's representative this week.
"Champ's an elite player who means a great deal to our entire organization and our fans," Elway wrote. "We want Champ to finish his Hall of Fame career as a Denver Bronco."
The Post reported that it's unlikely the Broncos will apply their franchise tag to Bailey because it could cost them as much as $15 million. The newspaper also noted that the team isn't totally opposed to letting the cornerback leave.
Bailey's expiring contract was a seven-year, $63 million deal.
According to The Post, the sides were negotiating a four-year, $40 million-plus extension this fall -- and Bailey's representatives believed they had the framework of a deal -- before the team stopped talks, partly because of fears over the NFL's labor situation and the player's age. Bailey will turn 33 in June.
