Denver Broncos: Demaryius Thomas cut by Texans after seven games

The Houston Texans cut former Denver Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas after seven games. What is up next for the former franchise player?

The Houston Texans have parted ways with former Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas after just seven games together.

Thomas, who was acquired by the Texans at the 2018 NFL trade deadline, ended the 2018 season on injured reserve with a torn right Achilles tendon.

As Palmer points out, Thomas has come back from this type of injury rather quickly in the past and could theoretically do it again, but it’s likely he won’t have a new team until he can prove himself healthy with a physical and workout.

The New England Patriots were another team in the running for Thomas at the trade deadline, and as a matter of fact, that is the team Thomas thought he was going to be heading to.

The Texans came in with an offer of a fourth-round pick at the 11th hour, and the Broncos accepted.

For the cap relief this move provided Denver — $14 million off the books in 2019 — the acquisition of a fourth-round pick here is looking like a steal.

For Thomas, it’s a huge blow. Not only did he lose much of this coming offseason due to rehab and recovery, but he’s going to have to wait to find a new team and pick up a new playbook until sometime this Summer.

Oh, and he’s out $14 million.

That is the harsh, unfortunate reality of the NFL, and no one is immune.

Thomas was once the Broncos’ franchise player, a superstar receiver whose best years came when Peyton Manning signed on in 2012.

From 2012-2015, Thomas was about as dominant as any receiver in the NFL and he will one day have a place in the Denver Broncos’ ring of fame.

Before anyone gets any crazy ideas, Thomas will not be returning to Denver in all likelihood. The team traded him due in part to the fact that they have a young core of players ready to step into larger roles.

They also made the trade because of the fact that Thomas has simply not been as effective in recent years. He is a possession type of receiver who struggles with drops. Thomas doesn’t have the same type of burst and straight-line speed he once did, but his time in the NFL is likely not yet finished.

I think Thomas will ultimately wind up on the New England Patriots in Josh McDaniels’ offense. The Patriots have both a need at receiver and a favorable situation for Thomas. He would be reunited with the man who drafted him back in 2010 and would obviously have a decent chance of winning another title there.