The dream of Joe Thomas in Denver is over.
The best left tackle in the NFL will stay with the Cleveland Browns, according to Akron Beacon Journal beat writer Nate Ulrich.
Ulrich sent a series of tweets on Thursday night saying Thomas is "all-in" when it comes to the Browns. That ends the dreams and rumors of Thomas coming to the Broncos.
#Browns LT Joe Thomas said Sashi Brown, Hue Jackson have told him they want him to be big piece, dont want to trade him. JT said he's all-in
— Nate Ulrich (@NateUlrichABJ) February 12, 2016
The reason for the Thomas speculation came from a rumored near deal at the trading deadline. By all accounts the deal was almost finished but John Elway refused to part ways with Shaquil Barrett. Since the two teams were so close, and because the Browns are the Browns, it made sense it would at least be explored in the offseason.
So much for that.
Ulrich added in his tweets that Thomas and new Cleveland coach Hue Jackson met at the Super Bowl last week. Thomas said Jackson was the No. 1 guy he wanted the Browns to hire. Thomas called the move a "huge coup."
Ulrich also tweeted that Thomas is hopeful Cleveland is able to retain center Alex Mack and right tackle Mitchell Schwartz but realizes it may not happen.
Now that the Thomas dream is over, could Elway and the Broncos target either Mack or Schwartz? With key pieces on the defense set to become free agents, and Brock Osweiler, Elway would have to work his magic. Still, the offensive line has to get addressed, either through free agency or the draft.