Since the start of NFL free agency, the Denver Broncos have been on the hunt for a left tackle. Over a week later, John Elway and his staff are still panning for the right nugget.
For over two years there has been a constant connection to Joe Thomas with the Cleveland Browns. There was the rumored deal that would have sent Shaquil Barrett and a second-round pick to the Browns for the left tackle. Two years later, the connection is still there.
On Thursday’s The Afternoon Drive, Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro talked with a guy who could have some pull - Thomas’ agent Peter Schaffer, who also represents C.J. Anderson and Oklahoma running back Joe Mixon. Both Goodman and Shapiro gave Schaffer a little prodding to get his client to come to Denver and solve the left tackle problem.
“I’m doing my best,” Schaffer said wearily. “Joe’s such a good person that he’s never gonna complain about being on the Browns. He’s an incredibly optimistic guy. As they rebuild the team, he gets more and more excited about the direction that team’s going.”
This is the point in the interview Broncos Country’s ears perked up and a tinge of excitement appeared.
“He did me tell me though, that if there’s any place he’d like to be, he does love the Rocky Mountains,” Schaffer said. “Today I talked with people in just about every city that has an NFL team and nobody’s got the weather that we’ve got out here, do they fellas?”
Will Elway’s and the Broncos’ hunt for a left tackle end with Thomas and one of the best finds out there? When it comes to stuff like this, nothing is out of the question with Elway. At least then it would end the left tackle questions.
Bonus listen
Eric and Les discuss Elway’s approach and tactics this offseason.