According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall received a four year deal with his club, with the money expecting to average around $5mm a season.
This news is important to Patriots fans for two reasons:
1) The Redskins were one of the teams in play for Talib's services and team owner Dan Snyder throws his money around if he wants a player, and will often overpay (see: Hall, DeAngelo). Now that the Redskins have their corner locked up, it's likely they won't be interested in Talib. Whether that lowers Talib's asking price, or just eliminates an overeager grandmother at an auction, remains to be seen.
2) What we do know is that it sets the ground price for Talib. There's zero chance he signs a deal for equal money as Hall. 4/$20mm for a 30 year old corner was last season's market value for the top corner in their prime. For 28 year old Talib, who is undeniably better than Hall, that means he'll likely be looking for more money, more years, or both.
4/$30. 5/$35. Both extremely high price-tags and both no longer out of the question. It'll probably be the expectation.
Now the Patriots have to play a game of chicken with Talib. Do they wait to see other corners sign to drive up (or down) the prices? Or do they make a move now when they're better able to dictate the market, but only have one extremely inflated data point?
We'll find out. But the games for Talib have begun.