The clock is ticking for Demaryius Thomas and the Broncos, with both parties having until Wednesday to come to a long-term deal or shelve contract negotiations for the season.
As of Monday night, there's still a "significant gap" between the wide receiver and the franchise as they work toward getting an 11th hour deal done before the July 15 deadline, NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported, per sources apprised of the situation.
Getlin, however, added that the Broncos are willing to pay the wide receiver north of $13 million per year in salary. Thomas is scheduled to make $12.823 million on the franchise tag and reportedly wants a Calvin Johnson-type deal with an excess of $16 million per year and $48 million guaranteed.
A deal can probably get done somewhere around those numbers but it's not clear if the Broncos are willing to shell out that much money for their No. 1 wideout, Getlin reported.
Thomas is a fundamental component in the Broncos' scheme as they look to capitalize on the twilight of Peyton Manning's career. Manning, a tireless master of preparation, is still waiting to team-up with Thomas as Denver installs a new offense under coach Gary Kubiak.
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