The Denver Broncos have until 4:00 p.m. ET to ensure that star wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is in camp and preparing for the 2015 season. The wide receiver does not want to play on the $12.8 million franchise tag this season, and has demanded a long-term contract offer comparable to the seven-year, $113 million deal Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson signed in 2012.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Thomas and the Broncos haven’t spoken in a month, which doesn’t bode well for a happy ending.
With clock ticking, interesting to note Broncos and Demaryius Thomas have not exchanged any proposals nor had any dialogue in over a month.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 14, 2015
Thomas’ situation mirrors that of fellow wide receiver Dez Bryant’s with the Dallas Cowboys. He too is seeking a long-term deal, and the NFL Players Association is contemplating a collusion lawsuit against the Broncos and Cowboys if these two players don’t get their way.
According to a source, Cowboys executive Stephen Jones told Bryant he had talked with Broncos executive John Elway about the two negotiations, and that could mean they colluded to keep the price of top-end wide receivers down. Thomas is also echoing Bryant’s willingness to hold out through training camp, and potentially into the regular season.
As for Demaryius Thomas, I was asked if he’s willing to miss games. Don’t rule it out. He won’t be at camp on time if no deal is reached — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 14, 2015
Like Bryant, Thomas has been one of the most consistent wide receivers in the NFL. He has scored double-digit touchdowns in each of the past three seasons, piled up 1,430 yards and caught 92 passes or more.
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