The Denver Broncos has placed a non-exclusive franchise tag on wide receiver Demaryius Thomas. The move allows the team to secure the athlete for the 2015 NFL season while giving Broncos officials enough time to set up a long-term contract with the athlete, the Associated Press reported.
Broncos general manager John Elway announced the deal with Thomas on Monday. Through the franchise tag, the wide receiver has been guaranteed to receive $12.8 million for the upcoming football season. This marks Thomas as one of the highest-paid free agents of the Broncos.
"This is another step in our efforts to extend Demaryius' contract and ensure he remains a Denver Bronco," Elway said in a press release according to ESPN.
"We will continue working toward a long-term agreement with Demaryius, who is a very important part of our team," he continued.
Since the franchise tag on Thomas is non-exclusive, this means other teams in the league can swoop in to sign him. However, in order to do so, they will have to offer a large deal that cannot be matched by the Broncos. In addition to the offer, soliciting teams will have to trade two first-round draft picks to the Broncos in exchange for Thomas.
Given the high terms of deal, the Broncos will most probably end up securing Thomas in its roster for the 2015 season. The team will then use this extra time to work out a long-term deal with the wide receiver.
The 27-year-old Thomas has been with the Broncos since 2010. After playing for Georgia Tech, the Broncos drafted Thomas as a first-round pick.
The young athlete holds the NFL's title for being the most productive receiver in three consecutive seasons. He holds a three-season average of 12 touchdowns, 1,494 receiving yards and 99 completed catches, the Denver Post has learned.
