ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos spent the first day of free agency bolstering their defensive backfield, agreeing to a four-year deal with Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward on Tuesday and then hours later reaching an agreement on a six-year contract with cornerback Aqib Talib.

Talib and Ward will play in a secondary that will be without Champ Bailey, who was released last week, and may be moving on from Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, who entered free agency without a new deal from the Broncos.

Ward had 129 tackles and two interceptions for Cleveland last year.

Talib was a shutdown corner for New England in 2013. He hurt his knee early in the AFC Championship against Denver when he was bumped by Wes Welker on a crossing route.

 

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos have revamped their defensive secondary by agreeing to a deal with Pro Bowl safety T.J. Ward on Tuesday.

Ward is coming off a season in which he had 129 tackles and two interceptions for the Cleveland Browns.

General manager John Elway called Ward a “young, explosive strong safety who is going to bring a lot of energy and toughness to our secondary.” The Broncos struggled at safety last season, especially after losing Rahim Moore, who underwent emergency surgery to fix a blood-flow problem in his lower left leg in November.

Earlier in the day, Denver brought back one of Peyton Manning’s targets, agreeing to a two-year deal with receiver Andre Caldwell.

Eric Decker, one of Manning’s go-to receivers, is a free agent.