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Denver Broncos General Manager John Elway met with the media today to discuss next week's NFL Draft. However, the last question asked to Elway had to do with Pro-Bowl wide receiver Demaryius Thomas who is currently staying away from the Broncos until the two sides work out a long term deal.
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Elway was asked about Thomas skipping out on the offseason work, here's what Denver's General Manager had to say:
"To be dead honest with you, I see absolutely zero value with him being away from here. Him being away from here there is zero value not only to us, but to him. To me it makes no sense.’"
The Broncos placed the Franchise Tag on the Pro-Bowl wide receiver guaranteeing him $12.82 million next season. However, Thomas has yet to sign the tender and has decided to hold out from team workouts this spring. The Broncos and Thomas have until July 15th to work on a long-term deal. If they fail to agree on one, Thomas will play the 2015 season under the Franchise Tag.
The Broncos are learning a new offense under new Head Coach Gary Kubiak, so it makes sense that the Broncos decision makers are frustrated that their number one wide receiver is not there learning the offense.
While General Manager John Elway is frustrated, Broncos Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr. isn't too worried about Thomas skipping the Broncos offseason workouts, and expects something to get done between the two-sides.
"Every player does that that’s tagged. DT’s not doing something any different than any other guy that’s been tagged before," Harris told MHR's Jon Heath last month. "They usually don’t come back until training camp – that’s usually when they get their deal done. I know DT’s working, he’s working to be the best, and he knows we want to win a Super Bowl. I know he’ll be ready whenever he comes back."
Demaryius Thomas is continuing to work out on his own while he rehabs the ankle injury he suffered late in the season. When Elway was asked if he believed it was smart for Thomas to skip out on these workouts to avoid injury he had this to say:
"That makes no sense to me, him not getting hurt," Elway said. "If he gets hurt here, he's covered. If he gets hurt on his own... I don't understand it all. It makes no sense for him."
In five seasons with the Denver Broncos, Thomas has totaled 351 receptions, for 5,317 yards, and 41 touchdowns. He's coming off a 2014 season where he totaled 111 receptions(career high) for 1,619 yards(career high), and 11 touchdowns.