Broncos offer Demaryius Thomas $12 million/year, per report

The Denver Broncos have until 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday to reach a long-term deal with wide receiver Demaryius Thomas, and are offering a truckload of money to get it done. Mike Klis of the Denver Post is reporting that the team is offering more than $12 million per year to Thomas.

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If that is the case, the contract would make him the second-highest paid receiver behind only Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions. However, there has not been a breakthrough in negotiations to this point which has been made public. If Thomas does not sign a long-term deal before the July 15 deadline, he will have a few options. He can either hold out and forfeit money but move toward securing his future, or he can sign his franchise tender which guarantees him $12.8 million this year and potentially hit free agency next offseason.

The main question here is how much guaranteed money are the Broncos offering Thomas? In the National Football League, it always comes down to the guarantees in the contract. Unlike the other three major sports, contracts are not fully guaranteed in the NFL, so an injury can cost a player millions of dollars. Hmm, wonder why players don’t disclose injuries and will themselves onto the field?

Thomas has been one of the best receivers in the NFL since Peyton Manning arrived in 2012. Thomas recorded 94 catches for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns that season before backing it up in 2013 with 92 receptions, 1,430 yards and 14 scores.

In 2014, Thomas was great for a third consecutive campaign with 111 catches, 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns. Still, Denver has balked (understandably) at making him the highest-paid receiver in the game. Perhaps part of the issue is Manning likely retiring after this season. With Brock Osweiler coming in, Thomas’ numbers are likely to decline. Without Manning, is Thomas really worth paying all that money to?

Sooner rather than later, we will find out.