The Broncos have opened contract talks with the agents of wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas, general manager John Elway told Mike Klis of The Denver Post. Elway was at the National Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame honoring veteran sportswriter Rick Reilly, but he took a few minutes to address the duo’s contract status.
“We’ve already talked to them to see if we can do something before the beginning of the year,” said Elway. “We’d like to get something done before the beginning of camp. We don’t want to do anything once training camp starts. They’re both in their last years and we’d like for them to stay and be Broncos for a long time.”
Demaryius Thomas had his second-straight All-Pro season in 2013, finishing with 1430 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Thomas originally signed a five-year deal worth $9.35MM after being selected as the 22nd pick in the 2010 draft. Klis suggests the wideout could receive a contract worth $12MM annually.
Julius Thomas had a breakout season in 2013. The former fourth-round pick caught 65 passes for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns. Klis believes the tight end could command a contract worth $7MM a year.
The two players figure to be Peyton Manning‘s main targets in 2014, along with veteran Wes Welker. The team lost Eric Decker this offseason (to a five-year, $36MM contract from the Jets) but added Emmanuel Sanders (signed a three-year, $15MM deal) and rookie Cody Latimer.