Denver Broncos general manager John Elway spoke during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine event held in Indianapolis to discuss the team's free agent players, according to the Denver Post.
Elway, a former quarterback for the Broncos, noted that although the state of some of the free agent players is still unclear, he and the other officials will have to base their decisions according to what will be good for the team.
One of those players is Julius Thomas. Despite offering the tight end a hefty eight-million-dollar multi-year contract in July of last year, it is not yet confirmed if the Broncos will re-sign him for the upcoming NFL season.
Elway explained that the primary reason behind the delay in negotiations between the player and the team is due to the money involved.
"I can't calm the frustration because we have to do what's best for the Denver Broncos," he told reporters during the event. "I know we'd love to have him back. But we have to see what the number is. Until then, it's a meet and greet."
Despite expressing the desire to have Thomas back, Elway said meetings are made complicated by how typical free agent players discuss their contracts.
According to Elway, discussions with an NFL free agent usually begin with the team asking how much he would like to receive. This is answered with the phrase, "How much you got?"
The general manager then said that this is how the Broncos' talks with Thomas went. Since the player wants to test the concept of free agency, team officials will first determine their market value before making an offer.
Thomas will be joining other Broncos free agents such as Orland Franklin, Rahim Moore, Terrence Knighton and Demaryius Thomas. Although the Broncos has already scheduled a meeting with the agents of these players for possible re-signing deals, Julius Thomas will still have to wait if negotiations will be set between the team and his agent Frank Bauer.
