Demaryius Thomas is not expected to be at the Broncos’ minicamp this week. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
Don’t let the “mandatory” fool you.
Demaryius Thomas, the Broncos’ star receiver who is holding out of the team’s offseason workout program as he negotiates a long-term deal with the team, is not expected to show up to mandatory minicamp, which opens Tuesday.
Typically players would be subject to a fine for missing the three-day camp, but because Thomas has not signed his one-year, $12.82 million franchise tender, he cannot be penalized for missing it. He’s essentially a free agent until he signs a deal.
Thomas and the Broncos have until July 15 to reach a long-term agreement. If they cannot come to terms, and if Thomas, who was given the team’s non-exclusive franchise tag, has not signed with another team, he must play on his one-year franchise deal.
