Broncos Deadline For Re-Signing Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas Passes

Aug 17, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) warms up before the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi

The Denver Broncos set a deadline of the second week of the preseason to re-sign star offensive weapons Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas, and that deadline has passed.

John Elway made it known that the Broncos would not negotiate past the second week of the preseason, which coincides with the end of training camp. The Broncos reportedly had made offers to both Demaryius and Julius Thomas, but negotiations were considered ongoing.

There has been no update since the initial report of negotiations, but there hasn’t really been any reason to believe the Broncos and their star players are any closer or further away from an agreement than they were previously.

The market has been set for both players. Julius Thomas probably saw Kyle Rudolph’s extension with the Vikings, receiving six years, $37.46 million and $18.5 million guaranteed, and figured he was worth at least $40 million and $20 million guaranteed since he had a better year in 2013.

For Thomas, it’s a matter of the Broncos handing him a blank check and telling him, “Just don’t break Calvin Johnson’s numbers, and you’ve got a deal.”

You would think it would be that simple, but apparently it’s not.

Both of these guys are among the best in the NFL at their respective positions, and the scary thing is, they are getting better. Demaryius Thomas has grown into what I believe to be one of the two or three best receivers in the league.

If the Broncos are in fact done negotiating with both Thomas’ for the time being, then it leaves a large question mark and cloud of uncertainty over the long-term future of two of the best players on this team, and cornerstone pieces of the franchise.

I’m not sure where the Broncos stand in terms of negotiations with these two players, but I’m hoping we might get a surprise bit of good news that they’ve been locked into new contracts in the next couple of days.