Broncos HC Gary Kubiak Optimistic Demaryius Thomas Deal Coming
If you ask Denver Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak, Demaryius Thomas getting signed to a new contract before training camp has a good shot of happening.
#Broncos HC Gary Kubiak said after practice he's "confident'' a deal gets done with @DemaryiusT before training camp.
— Jeff Legwold (@Jeff_Legwold) June 9, 2015
I wrote yesterday about some frustrations I have with Thomas being gone, but apparently, he’s been keeping closer tabs on the team than it appears from our outside perspective. Kubiak even said he was texting Thomas as of Tuesday morning.
Kubiak said he text w Demaryius Thomas today... They will have plan for him in place to catch him up
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) June 9, 2015
That last tweet seems to imply that Kubiak and the Broncos have a plan in place for Thomas when he gets back as in, they assume he will be back relatively soon. If that’s the case, it will be the final piece of the puzzle for the Broncos as they prepare for what many believe to be Peyton Manning’s final championship run as an NFL quarterback.
I’m sure he’s not overly thrilled that Thomas is staying clear of practices when everyone else is learning a brand new offense, installing it, and picking up new habits and tendencies. Manning needs Thomas there, and Thomas needs to be there, but he doesn’t have to be.
Since Thomas isn’t technically under contract (he has not signed his franchise tender) he cannot be fined by the Broncos for not showing up to their ‘mandatory’ minicamp.
Both the Broncos and Thomas want a long term deal. The conflict here is likely coming down to guaranteed money, and that can either mean the two sides are close to a deal or they couldn’t be further away. As we have seen in recent years, John Elway has not been afraid to let his best in-house free agents walk out the door, though Thomas is a different breed of player.