Denver Broncos are set to release Champ Bailey

Champ Bailey will eventually wind up in Canton. But he thought he would stay in Denver a little longer.

According to multiple reports, the Denver Broncos intend to release Bailey, a future Hall of Fame cornerback who earned eight of his record 12 Pro Bowl invitations in the Mile High City.

Bailey, who met with team brass Wednesday, told the Denver Post that he thought the team might approach him with a renegotiation of his $10-million salary but there was no such offer made.

“There were no discussions about it,” he told the newspaper. “It was like, ‘We’re ready to move on.’ That was that.”

Bailey played the last 10 seasons with the Broncos after being traded by Washington after the 2003 season. Although he’s coming off the first Super Bowl of his career, he’s also fresh off the worst statistical season of his career – 14 tackles and zero interceptions. He missed 11 of the first 14 games because of a foot injury, then played a reduced role as a nickel corner when he returned.

“I wouldn’t say stunned,” he said of his impending release. “A little surprising, but not really. After all this time, it’s tough when it ends. But at the same time, 10-plus years anywhere, that’s pretty good.”

Bailey, 35, told the Post he wants to continue his career. The Broncos would be doing him a favor by releasing him before the start of free agency next week, as several other top corners are due to become free agents – New England’s Aqib Talib, Indianapolis’ Vontae Davis, and Tennessee’s Alterraun Verner.

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