Report: Broncos likely won't re-sign Julius, Demaryius Thomas in season
The Denver Broncos don't expect to re-sign impending free agents Julius Thomas and Demaryius Thomas during the season, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.
The team will instead wait until after the season to attempt to re-sign the pair.
Both players are in the final seasons of their rookie contracts. Julius Thomas, a tight end taken in the fourth round of the 2011 NFL draft, signed a four-year, $2.4 million rookie deal. Demaryius Thomas, a wide receiver taken in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft, signed a five-year, $12.2 million rookie deal.
Julius Thomas is making $645,000 this season, while Demaryius is making $3.3 million.
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The Broncos negotiated with both players in the offseason but weren't able to reach a new deal with either player.
Julius, who played basketball as well as football at Portland State, made his first Pro Bowl last season, recording 65 receptions for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns. He currently has 28 receptions for 304 yards and nine touchdowns this season, and the nine touchdowns through five games tied an NFL record for the most in that period to begin a season, also held by Calvin Johnson.
Demaryius has made Pro Bowls each of the last two seasons, totaling 186 receptions, 2,864 yards and 24 touchdowns in 2012-13. He has 39 receptions for 662 yards and six touchdowns this season and caught quarterback Peyton Manning's record-setting 509th career touchdown pass last Sunday night against the San Francisco 49ers.
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The Broncos currently lead the NFL with 31.5 points per game. They led the league last season with 37.9 per game.
- Ben Estes
