NFL Rumors: Denver Broncos expected to franchise tag Demaryius Thomas
By Josh Hill
NFL free agency is set to open in a few weeks and the Denver Broncos are looking to get a head start by franchise tagging Demaryius Thomas.
The Denver Broncos lost one of their top receivers last year when Eric Decker left in free agency to sign with the New York Jets and they were looking at the same thing happening again this offseason.
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Demaryius Thomas is a free agent this offseason and there has already been talk of Eric Decker recruiting him to come to the New York Jets and re-forming their dynamic duo in the Big Apple. But there’s one team that has a say in all of that and can stop Thomas’ exit from happening.
According to Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com, the Denver Broncos are expected to franchise tag Demaryius Thomas as it’s a ‘safe bet’ to assume as much.
"It’s a “safe bet” the Broncos will be applying the franchise tag to receiver Demaryius Thomas, per a source with knowledge of the situation. While the two sides are talking, a deal currently isn’t expected in the next two days."
Being a ‘franchise player’ is not the same thing as being franchise tagged, as a franchise player is rewarded with a healthy contract that keeps that player there for the long haul. That’s not what the franchise tag is, as it’s a restricting contract that keeps a player in one place for one season.
Granted, it makes that player the highest paid player at their position, but it’s hardly the payout that a franchise player should receive. Still, there’s not a ton of money right now in Denver and the Broncos franchise tagging Thomas is more out of desperate necessity than it is a money saving move.
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