Update:
A source tells Benjamin Allbright that the idea of the Broncos possibly trading WR Demaryius Thomas is “completely made up.”
Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk mentioned Friday that there’s a “weird sense coming out of Denver” that Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas could possibly be available for trade.
“Here’s a name to keep an eye on,” Florio told Peter King on Friday, via NBC Sports. “Now there may be nothing to this whatsoever, but I’ve detected just a weird sense coming out of Denver as it relates to Demaryius Thomas. He’s a guy that was drafted by [Patriots offensive coordinator] Josh McDaniels (when McDaniels was the Broncos’ head coach), he’s a guy who ultimately could be available, $8 1/2 million (in salary for 2018). We’ve seen [Broncos executive vice-president and general manager] John Elway do this, where he’ll squeeze a guy very, very late, maybe try to trade him, and if that all else fails, out he goes like T.J. Ward last year.”
Florio added that with the emergence of second-round pick Courtland Sutton, it’s possible the Broncos may view Thomas’ salary as too much to pay and could look to move him to a team such as the Patriots.
“But with the young receivers there, Courtland Sutton for example, if these guys can develop and Elway looks at it and says, ‘8 1/2 million, that’s too much to pay,’ it would not shock me if a guy like Thomas ends up joining [New England’s] depth chart,” Florio said. “[It’s] late in the game, but still in time to make an impact with the Patriots.”
King says that nothing would shock him when it comes to John Elway making a move, but he doesn’t expect the Broncos to make a deal before the start of the season that involves Thomas.
Jason Fitzgerald points out that the Broncos already paid Thomas a $4 million bonus earlier this year, so it would come as a surprise to him if the traded Thomas away, unless they’re able to get a great return.
Thomas, 30, is a former first-round pick of the Broncos back in 2010. Hein in the fourth year of his five-year, $70 million contract that included $43.5 million guaranteed and stands to make base salaries of $8.5 million and $14 million over the final two years of the agreement.
The Broncos picked up Thomas’ $4 million option this past March.
In 2017, Thomas appeared in all 16 games for the Broncos and caught 83 passes for 949 yards receiving and five touchdowns. Pro Football Focus had him rated as the No. 46 receiver out of 116 qualifying players.
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Thomas is going nowhere (this season). Albeit, his future beyond this season will hinge on his productivity and that of Sutton. Anyone who’s watched Sutton knows he’s something special. He has the ability to be the Broncos’ GOAT at WR when his career is over. But, for now, Thomas is staying. Heck, he may even take a hometown discount after his contract is over, and be a BFL (Bronco for Life).