Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas combined for 157 catches for 2,218 yards and 26 touchdowns in leading the league’s top-ranked offense to an AFC Championship and appearance in Super Bowl XLVIII.
The Broncos made the decision to let Eric Decker walk in free agency this offseason with an eye toward being able to keep both Demaryius and Julius Thomas as focal points of Denver’s offense long into the future.
According to Mike Klis of the Denver Post, discussions between the Broncos and the two Thomases have now begun. General manager John Elway expressed a desire Monday to get new deals in place before the start of the season.
“We’d like to get something done before the beginning of camp, We don’t want to do anything once training camp starts. They’re both in their last years and we’d like for them to stay and be Broncos for a long time.”
Demaryius has been named to the Pro Bowl twice and was a second-team All-Pro last season. He also set a record for most receptions in a single Super Bowl with 13 catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Julius earned his first Pro Bowl selection last season in his first full season in the lineup. He had just one catch for five yards in nine games in his first two seasons in the league before breaking out last year.
The pair are both likely headed toward substantial contracts as they get set to enter the final year of their rookie deals.