"They could always franchise Champ Bailey.

It would cost the Broncos at least $15 million for the 2011 season — 20 percent on top of the $12.5 million he made this year, not including his workout bonus.

But it's an option.

The other options would be to let Bailey, the Broncos' star cornerback the past seven seasons, hit the unrestricted free-agent market, where he could sign with any team.

Or the Broncos could re-sign him to a longer contract at far less annual salary. The Broncos and Bailey were close on a four-year contract worth nearly $44 million in November when the team pulled out of negotiations.

"I want to go where I can win, absolutely," said Bailey, 32. "But the Broncos will always have the upper hand on everybody else. I love it here."

If this is it for Bailey with the Broncos, he will have finished on the inactive list. He couldn't play in the 33-28 loss Sunday to the San Diego Chargers because of a recurring heel injury.

"I was hoping earlier in the week that I could play," Bailey said. "But once we got to Thursday and there wasn't any improvement, I knew I wasn't going to be able to go.""