Training camp is about to begin and a significant gap must be closed if the Broncos are to lock up left tackle Ryan Clady with a long-term extension.
The Broncos have offered Clady a five-year, $50 million contract extension with $28 million guaranteed, according to an NFL source.
The $10 million a year average would make Clady one of the league’s five highest-paid offensive tackles. He is scheduled to make $3.5 million this year, which ranks only 31st among NFL offensive tackles.
However, the league source said Clady and his agent, Pat Dye, are seeking a deal that would slightly exceed the contract of Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas, who received an extension last summer that averages $11.5 million a year, according to the NFL Players Association.
Without an extension, Clady would play out his contract and would be eligible for free agency at season’s end. The Broncos in turn would have the right to place their franchise tag on Clady next season. The franchise-tag salary for offensive linemen this year is $9.3 million.
Thomas was drafted in the first round in 2007 and has been named to the Pro Bowl in each of his five seasons. He made the all-pro first team the past three years.
Clady had been mirroring Thomas’ career until the Broncos’ 6-foot-6, 325-pound protector of the quarterback’s blind side suffered a major knee in- jury while playing basketball in April 2010.
Clady was a first-round draft pick in 2008 and was a Pro Bowler and all-pro first-teamer in 2009. He returned just five months after knee surgery and played in all 16 games in 2010. In fact, the Boise State product has started all 64 games since he was selected by Denver with the No. 12 overall pick.
Clady rebounded in 2011 to earn a Pro Bowl appearance as an alternate.
According to the Broncos’ media guide, Clady is among only five offensive linemen in NFL history who have started every game and made two Pro Bowls through their first four seasons.
The Broncos also are trying to finish up their rookie contracts this week with second-round quarterback Brock Osweiler and third-round running back Ronnie Hillman.
Players report to training camp Wednesday at Broncos headquarters and their first practice is Thursday morning.
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055, mklis@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikeklis
