Demaryius Thomas' time with the Broncos was unforgettable — he made game-winning plays, set franchise records, helped the Broncos reach two Super Bowls — including a win in Super Bowl 50 — and he was a star in the community.
First-round draft pick Demaryius Thomas displays his jersey to the media during his introductory press conference on April 23, 2010.
First-round draft pick Demaryius Thomas arrives at Dove Valley headquarters in snow flurries on April 23, 2010.
Demaryius Thomas flashes a smile in the end zone after completing a 21-yard touchdown catch against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 19, 2010. It was the first touchdown catch of his career.
Demaryius Thomas smiles after he contributed eight receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown in his NFL debut against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 19, 2010.
Demaryius Thomas holds a young child at the Denver Rescue Mission Holiday Party on Dec. 13, 2011.
Demaryius Thomas turns upfield on a 41-yard catch and run for a touchdown in third quarter action against the Minnesota Vikings in the on Dec. 4, 2011.
Demaryius Thomas creates separation from Steelers cornerback Ike Taylor on an 80-yard catch and run for a touchdown to win the game in overtime of an AFC Wild Card playoff game on Jan. 8, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas scores the game-winning touchdown against the Steelers in overtime of the AFC Wild Card playoff game on Jan. 8, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas strolls the aisles with a Boys & Girls Club shopper during the annual Shop with a Bronco on Dec. 6, 2011.
Demaryius Thomas runs out of the tunnel during player introductions before a preseason game on Aug. 18, 2012.
Peyton Manning chats with Demaryius Thomas on the sideline during the team's first Organized Team Activity held at the Dove Valley facility on May 21, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas catches a 38-yard pass for a first down against the New England Patriots on Oct. 7, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas catches the ball during first quarter action against the New Orleans Saints on Oct. 28, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas looks for extra yards after a reception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 2, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas takes the field before a game against the Chargers on Nov. 18, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas runs upfield after a reception against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 23, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas hauls in a 22-yard touchdown reception against the Cleveland Browns on Dec. 23, 2012.
Fans celebrate with Demaryius Thomas after he caught an 8-yard touchdown pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Dec. 2, 2012.
Demaryius Thomas scores a touchdown during against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Divisional Playoff game on Jan. 12, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker and Eric Decker pose for a 2013 Gameday Magazine cover on Aug. 13, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas has some fun in the rain outside the locker room at a training camp scrimmage at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on Aug. 3, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas catches a 26-yard touchdown pass against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 5, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas jumps into the stands after scoring a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 29, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas pushes off a Chiefs defender as he heads up the sidelines on a 20-yard reception on Nov. 17, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas points to the camera while he stretches before a game against the Washington Redskins on Oct. 27, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas hauls in a 15-yard pass for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sept. 29, 2013.
Demaryius Thomas holds the football across the goal one on a 5-on Dec. 29, 2013. The pass to Thomas from Peyton Manning set a new NFL record for passing yards in a single season with 5,477 yards.
Demaryius Thomas carries the ball in for a touchdown after a reception against the San Diego Chargers on Nov. 10, 2013.
CBS's Jim Nantz interviews Demaryius Thomas after Denver defeated the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 19, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas holds up the Lamar Hunt Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at on Jan. 19, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas hangs on to a 14-yard reception for a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl XLVIII on Feb. 2, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas catches a 12-yard pass for a touchdown with two Chiefs defending him on Sept. 14, 2014
Demaryius Thomas celebrates with the fans in the south stands after he ran 31 yards on a reception for a touchdown on Oct. 5, 2014. Thomas set a franchise record for receiving yards in a single game with 226.
Demaryius Thomas reaches for a deep pass which caught and took for a 86-yard touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 5, 2014. Thomas set a franchise record for receiving yards in a single game with 226.
Demaryius Thomas runs for an 86-yard touchdown reception against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 5, 2014. Thomas set a franchise record for receiving yards in a single game with 226.
Demaryius Thomas runs past a diving Cardinals defender for a touchdown on Oct. 5, 2014. Thomas set a franchise record for receiving yards in a single game with 226.
Raiders defensive back Charles Woodson tries to bring down Demaryius Thomas on Nov. 9, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas catches Peyton Manning's 8-yard pass for Manning's NFL-record 509th career touchdown pass against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 19, 2014.
Peyton Manning celebrates his NFL-record 509th passing touchdown with Demaryius Thomas, who caught the pass, on Oct. 19, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas hauls in a 40-yard touchdown reception against the San Francisco 49ers on Oct. 19, 2014.
Orlando Franklin lifts Demaryius Thomas after scoring a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins on Nov. 23, 2014.
Demaryius Thomas catches a pass against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 17, 2015.
Demaryius Thomas fires up the crowd during a game against the Patriots on Nov. 29, 2015.
Demaryius Thomas carries the ball for a 72-yard touchdown against the San Diego Chargers on Jan. 3, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas spikes the ball after scoring on a two-point conversion against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Jan. 17, 2016.
Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas celebrate in confetti after beating the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 24, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas celebrates with DeMarcus Ware after the Broncos beat the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game on Jan. 24, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas smiles in the locker room as he gets ready for practice during the week leading up to Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 5, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas introduces Peyton Manning to Thomas' mother, Katina Smith, after walkthrough for Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 6, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas celebrates with Aqib Talib after beating the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas pushes Marshall Manning, Peyton Manning's son, through the locker room in an equipment container after the Broncos beat the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50 on Feb. 7, 2016
Demaryius Thomas stands atop a fire truck and waves to the crowd during the Broncos' championship parade through downtown Denver on Feb. 9, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas (back row, holding Marshall Manning) takes a group photo with Peyton Manning and other Broncos teammates after Manning's retirement press conference on March 7, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas, among others, looks on as then-President Barack Obama speaks to the crowd during a ceremony honoring the team's Super Bowl 50 victory.
Demaryius Thomas during the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 ring ceremony on June 12, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas scores on an 11-yard reception for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 2, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas celebrates his 4-yard touchdown catch with Emmanuel Sanders on Oct. 24, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas outmuscles a Saints cornerback for a touchdown on Nov. 13, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas and Eric Studesville's son, Eric Jr., hang out before a walkthrough on Dec. 31, 2016.
Demaryius Thomas autographs a football before the Broncos' game against the Raiders on Jan. 1, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas stiff arms a Raiders defender on Jan. 1, 2017.
On his right arm, Demaryius Thomas sports tattoos recalling his first day as a Denver Bronco and the Super Bowl 50 trophies he won as part of the team.
At Demaryius Thomas' youth football camp at Mullen High School on July 7, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas takes a photo with a fan before a Broncos preseason game on Aug. 31, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas takes a photo with Malachi, a child who toured UCHealth Training Center and met players on Sept. 29, 2017 as part of his Make-A-Wish experience.
Demaryius Thomas smiles as he meets a baby girl, who visited practice during a family member's Make-A-Wish visit to UCHealth Training Center.
Demaryius Thomas meets Children's Hospital Colorado Junior Reporter Caleb Aldrich after practice at UCHealth Training Center on Sept. 27, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas is introduced to the home crowd before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 19, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas runs out onto the field during pregame player introductions on Nov. 19, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas huddles with the team in the locker room after the Broncos beat the New York Jets on Dec. 10, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas catches a touchdown pass against the Cincinnati Bengals on Nov. 19, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas, dressed as Santa Claus, gives a big hug to kids during the Boys & Girls Club Holiday Party at UCHealth Training Center on Dec. 18, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas, dressed as Santa Claus, visits the Boys & Girls Club Holiday Party at UCHealth Training Center on Dec. 18, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas poses with Matt Paradis at a walkthrough practice at UCHealth Training Center on Dec. 13, 2017.
Demaryius Thomas shows his excitement in the tunnel before player introductions for the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on Oct. 1, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas autographs a jersey a young boy is wearing after a training camp practie on Aug. 9, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas stretches during training camp at UCHealth Training Center on Aug. 5, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas celebrates with Tim Patrick and Emmanuel Sanders after hearing his touchdown counts during the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 9, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas in the tunnel pregame before the Broncos' preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings on Aug. 11, 2018.
Chase, a Children's Hospital Colorado Junior Reporter, receives an autographed helmet from Demaryius Thomas at UCHealth Training Center on Sept. 26, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas gives out high-fives to fans in the tunnel during player introductions before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Broncos Stadium at Mile High on Oct. 1, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas gets his feet in on a touchdown catch against the Los Angeles Rams on Oct. 14, 2018.
Demaryius Thomas and Von Miller greet Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald after the Broncos' game against the Arizona Cardinals on Oct. 18, 2018.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — The Denver Broncos on Tuesday agreed to trade wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and a seventh-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft to the Houston Texans in exchange for a fourth and seventh-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, President of Football Operations/General Manager John Elway announced.
Please see below for statements from Elway and Broncos President & CEO Joe Ellis:
PRESIDENT OF FOOTBALL OPERATIONS/GENERAL MANAGER JOHN ELWAY
"Demaryius had an incredible run here and we can't thank him enough for everything he's meant to the Broncos. He developed into an elite player over the years, establishing himself as one NFL's most productive, consistent and reliable wide receivers. D.T. was a big part of so many wins and memorable moments as a Bronco. Although it's tough to end this chapter, we're excited about the talent we have at the wide receiver position and wish Demaryius all the best with the Texans."
PRESIDENT & CEO JOE ELLIS
"Demaryius will always be part of the Denver Broncos family. He was a special player for this organization during a very special time for the Broncos and our fans. We're proud of all Demaryius accomplished on the field while also very quietly doing some outstanding work in the community, representing the team with class and humility. We look forward to honoring D.T. one day as a Ring of Famer and appreciate his many contributions to the Broncos."
***
Thomas (6-3, 229 pounds) is a five-time Pro Bowler who spent the last nine years with the Broncos after they selected him in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft from Georgia Tech. He ranks second in franchise history in career receiving yards (9,055) and receiving touchdowns (60) while totaling the third-most receiving yards (9,055) all-time by a Bronco.
In 125 career games (111 starts) with the Broncos, Thomas was part of five AFC West champion teams (2011-15), two AFC Championship teams (2013, '15) and one Super Bowl-winning team (Super Bowl 50 in 2015). He participated in a total of 83 wins as a Bronco and has the longest active games played (115) and games started (104) streak among any NFL wide receiver.
Thomas' five career 1,000-yard receiving seasons rank second in Broncos history to Ring of Fame wide receiver Rod Smith. He has totaled a franchise-record 36 career 100-yard receiving games (including postseason) to rank third among all NFL players since his first 100-yard receiving game in 2011.
During a five-season stretch from 2012-16, Thomas became one of just four players in NFL history to post five consecutive years with at least 90 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards. He was voted to the Pro Bowl following each of those seasons to join Broncos Ring of Fame safety Steve Atwater(8, 1990-97) and Pro Football Hall of Fame tight end Shannon Sharpe(7, 1992-98) as the only Broncos with five consecutive Pro Bowl selections.
A two-time second-team Associated Press All-Pro (2013-14), Thomas totaled the second-most receptions (535), receiving yards (7,332) and receiving touchdowns (51) in the NFL (regular season & playoffs) over that five-year period from 2012-16.
In 2014, Thomas set a Broncos single-season record with 1,619 receiving yards in addition to posting the second-most receptions (111) in franchise history. He also set a team record for most 100-yard receiving games (10), including a seven-game streak with 100+receiving yards.
In 10 postseason starts for Denver, Thomas totaled 53 receptions for 759 yards (14.3 avg.) with six touchdowns. Among his most memorable playoff moments was a four-catch, 204-yard performance in the 2011 AFC Wild Card Playoff Game against Pittsburgh that included an 80-yard game-winning touchdown on the first play of overtime.
Thomas also established a Super Bowl record with 13 receptions (118 yards, 1 TD) in Super Bowl XXXIV against Seattle during the 2013 season.
In eight starts this season, Thomas ranked second on the Broncos with 36 receptions for 402 yards (11.2 avg.) with three touchdowns.
A three-year starter at Georgia Tech, Thomas finished his collegiate career ranked fourth in school history in receiving yards (2,339), fourth in touchdown catches (15) and seventh in receptions (210). He attended West Laurens High School in Montrose, Ga., and was born on Dec. 25, 1987.
