An offseason with multiple wrinkles to iron out began Monday with the Broncos placing the franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas.
Consider it a bargaining tactic that will pay the receiver $12.82 million for the 2015 season, while creating time to work out a longterm deal.
Thomas made $3.275 million last season on a one-year contract while establishing career-highs in receptions (111) and yards (1,619).
The Broncos used the non-exclusive franchise tag, permitting other teams to negotiate with the receiver. However, any suitor signing Thomas would have to surrender two first-round draft picks to the Broncos, a price which typically minimizes interest.
Thomas’ salary jump makes him the league’s third-highest-paid receiver, behind Detroit’s Calvin Johnson ($16.21 million) and a tick below the New York Jets’ Percy Harvin ($12.84 million). Thomas’ $12.82 million franchise tag salary increased slightly from estimates after the league set its 2015 salary cap payroll Monday at $143.28 million. The move serves as a placeholder for the Broncos to work out a multi-year deal with the three-time Pro Bowler.
“This is another step in our efforts to extend Demaryius’ contract and ensure he remains a Denver Bronco,” Broncos general manager John Elway said in a statement. “We will continue working toward a long-term agreement with Demaryius, who is a very important part of our team.”
The non-exclusive tag virtually assures Thomas will be a Bronco in 2015. A team wishing to sign Thomas faces obstacles. The suitor would have to produce a monstrous contract offer sheet the Broncos couldn’t match, then compensate Denver with two first-round draft picks.
With history as a guide, teams are expected to find the cost prohibitive. There is precedent for the Broncos using the tag as a bridge to a longterm agreement.
The Broncos applied the franchise tag on kicker Matt Prater in 2012 and left tackle Ryan Clady in 2013. Although those players skipped the offseason workouts and practices, they signed long-term contracts with the Broncos before training camp.
Thomas, 27, is expected to use his minimal bargaining leverage by not signing the franchise tender until July 15. That would allow him to miss the team’s mandatory minicamp in June, while also passing on the team’s conditioning and organized team activity workouts. Multiple attempts to reach Thomas on Monday were unsuccessful. Thomas sidestepped contract talk last year, choosing to focus on the season. He said after the Broncos’ playoff exit that “there was work to do” on his contract. Thomas boasts the title as the NFL’s most productive receiver the past three seasons, averaging 99 catches, 1,494 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Broncos engaged in contract extension talks with Thomas and his agent Todd France last summer, but when the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement by the start of the 2014 regular season, discussions were tabled.
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck
Wide range, big raise
In another step to buy time to work out a longterm contract, the Broncos placed the franchise tag on receiver Demaryius Thomas. A look at where his 2015 salary ranks if he plays at the franchise tag salary.
Calvin Johnson, Lions: $16.207 million
Percy Harvin, Jets: $12.843 million
Demaryius Thomas, Broncos: $12.822 million
Dez Bryant, Cowboys: $12.822 million
Mike Wallace, Dolphins: $12 million
Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs: $11.2 million
Vincent Jackson, Buccaneers: $11 million
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: $11 million
