Executive Vice President/General Manager John Elway hopes that the franchise tag for wide receiver Demaryius Thomas is the precursor to a long-term deal, just as it was for the previous two Broncos that received it.
"We're going to continue to work with DT and his agent to hopefully get something done for a long-term solution for him," Elway told Broncos TV's Chris Hall at the league meetings in Phoenix on Monday.
"We'd like him to remain a Denver Bronco, and that's one of our goals, to be able to get that done. I'm trying to get together with his agent, and hopefully we can do that. We'll continue to work diligently on trying to get something done."
The Broncos used the franchise tag on Thomas earlier this month, incurring an immediate $12.823 million charge against the salary cap, which kicks in even before the wide receiver signs the franchise tender.
Denver's last two franchise-tagged players, kicker Matt Prater (2012) and left tackle Ryan Clady (2013), signed long-term deals within months of receiving their tags.
The Broncos have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term deal with Thomas, otherwise he will play under a one-year deal at the franchise-tender cost.
