Champ Bailey among all-time cornerbacks; Where is he now?
WASHINGTON (BVM) – Champ Bailey was one of the most feared NFL cornerbacks throughout the early and late 2000’s. Combining stints with the Washington Redskins and Denver Broncos, Bailey became one of the true lockdown corners throughout his 15-year NFL career.
With the recent ongoing Twitter thread of current and former cornerbacks posting their status amongst the league’s elite, Bailey would likely find himself near the top of the conversation today with 21 interceptions, five Pro Bowl appearances, and one first-team All-Pro selection in his first six seasons. Not many at the position stood out like Bailey during his era on the field.
Certified playmaker. @champbailey pic.twitter.com/APF8aHKWuM
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) February 26, 2021
Champ Bailey’s NFL career
Bailey was heralded as one of the top players entering the 1999 NFL Draft coming out of the University of Georgia. With the seventh overall selection, the Redskins decided to take the Bulldogs top cornerback. Bailey hit the jackpot for a rookie learning the position at the highest level, as he teamed up with future Hall of Famers Deion Sanders and Darrell Green.
The star-studded secondary room would be the perfect place for Bailey to land as he instantly became an impact player on the defensive side of the ball. The Redskins rookie recorded five interceptions and a touchdown in his opening year and would narrowly miss out on NFL Rookie of the Year honors, coming in second.
After proving himself as a rookie, Bailey took advantage of less opportunities in coverage, still once again notching five interceptions in his second season. As opposing teams stayed away from the rising sensation, Bailey would shine as the lone bright spot on a Redskins team that would find middling success in 2000.
As the Redskins sat near, or at, 8-8 from 2001-2003, Bailey and the team would reach a breaking point after the Pro Bowl corner threatened to holdout during Washington’s upcoming training camp if his franchise tag were to be exercised. With the team planning for the 2004 season, the Redskins decided to give their star playmaker permission to seek a trade. On March 4 of that year, Bailey would be a part of one of the more high-profile acquisitions in league history after being traded to the Denver Broncos for Clinton Portis and a second-round pick.
In the first game with the Broncos, Bailey would intercept Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Trent Green for his first of three interceptions on the year. The season with the new squad would result in individual and team success for the 6-foot cornerback who would return to the playoffs for the first time since his rookie season. He would also go on to crack the All-Pro first team for the first time in his career.
The standout year would be the start of Bailey’s next chapter, as the Broncos returned to the playoffs in 2005 and would end up a game away from a Super Bowl appearance. Bailey’s eight interceptions on the year brought the then-26 year old into the Defensive Player of the Year conversation after enjoying his best season to date. As he continued to roll into his prime, Bailey would use the momentum from his two previous years to complete one of the best seasons a cornerback has ever had.
In 2006, Bailey was targeted on just 39 snaps in man coverage and allowed just four receptions on the year. The Broncos star would make the most of his limited opportunities racking up ten interceptions and 21 passes defended. His efforts alone wouldn’t keep the team’s hopes alive as they missed the playoffs for the first time since he arrived. Bailey’s year would still garner recognition as the Pro Bowl corner received his third straight selection to the All-Pro first team while coming up a spot shy of the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Bailey’s high level of play would continue for the next six seasons and in his final year, he would get his first chance to play in a Super Bowl. After 14 seasons, Bailey and the Broncos would enjoy a 13-3 record and a playoff run with Peyton Manning under center, as they matched up against the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLVIII. In a different role for his final season after playing just five games due to injury, Bailey would come up shy of his first title as the Seahawks rolled the Broncos, 43-8.
The former All-Pro cornerback would be released following the season and after signing on with the New Orleans Saints, the then-36 year old would not make it past roster cuts. He announced his retirement from the NFL a few months later and would sign a one-day contract with the Broncos to retire with the team.
After 12 Pro Bowl seasons, three All-Pro selections, and 52 interceptions, Bailey would be elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
Champ Bailey’s post-NFL career, earnings, and net worth
Following his NFL career, Bailey has stayed busy off the field as a founder, investor, speaker and endorser of companies. Throughout his time in the NFL, Bailey accrued over $102 million in earnings and has taken up recent endeavors. His net worth is currently estimated to be around $45 million.
Bailey, who’s real name is Roland Bailey Jr., married his wife Jessica Hererra back in 2014 and the couple has two children. Bailey has five other children and son, Keevan, played football at Colorado State.
