The Broncos have not been contacted by the NFL Players Association about allegedly colluding with the Dallas Cowboys regarding longterm contracts for receivers Demaryius Thomas and Dez Bryant.
ESPN reported Friday that the NFLPA is reviewing whether the teams engaged in prohibited contact about the contracts of Thomas and Bryant, who were franchise tagged in March and are seeking multi-year deals by July 15. The Broncos declined comment on the ESPN report.
Per the collective bargaining agreement that was ratified in 2011, an NFL team cannot communicate with another team “concerning the terms or conditions of employment offered to any player for inclusion, or included in a Player Contract.”
The franchise tag was placed on Thomas and Bryant, leaving them with one-year deals for a . The receivers skipped offseason workouts, exercising their limited leverage in attempts to secure longterm contracts. The Broncos have attempted to work out a deal with Thomas since last summer, but have been unable to find common ground. The Detroit Lions’ Calvin Johnson is the highest-paid receiver in guaranteed money ($48.75 million) followed far behind by Minnesota’s Mike Wallace ($30 million).
Thomas and Bryant will play on their franchise-tag contracts this season if no deal is reached by Wednesday.
