Demaryius Thomas agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract with the Broncos. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)
After months of waiting and negotiating, Demaryius Thomas finally got his money — the most of any Broncos receiver in history.
Minutes before the NFL’s 2 p.m. deadline Wednesday, the Broncos and their star receiver agreed on a that included $43.5 million guaranteed.
The deal was finalized just minutes after Dez Bryant and the Cowboys reached a five-year, $70 million deal ($45 million guaranteed). The new contracts make the duo the second-highest paid receivers in the NFL, behind Detroit’s Calvin Johnson, at $14 million annually.
Johnson, who had been the benchmark in negotiations for Bryant and Thomas over the last few months, signed a seven-year, $113 million extension with the Lions in 2012 ($16.2 million annually) that included a whopping $52.4 million guaranteed. He retains the top spot among the league’s highest-earning receivers.
After Thomas and Bryant agreed to their new contracts Wednesday, many players — as well as Broncos general manager John Elway — took to Twitter to congratulate the two:
Thrilled to reach a long-term deal with Demaryius. He is one of the NFL’s top WRs & will continue to be a big part of the Broncos’ success!!
— John Elway (@johnelway)
Good job, glad to have you back
— D-Ware (@DeMarcusWare)
Yessiree! Congrats and no question well deserved brah
— Danny Trevathan (@Grindin_59)
Congrats on the huge deal bro!!! it’s showtime!!!!.. p.s let me borrow a couple of dollars lol
— Cody Latimer (@CodyLatimer14)
DT back !!!! BRONCOS UP !
— kwebb (@kayvonwebster)
A photo posted by RealNaPalm (@realnapalm) on
Great to hear. He certainly deserves it.
— JoelDreessen (@JoelDreessen)
Congrats to my boy you deserve it man.
— Cole Beasley (@Bease11)
My man got 100 million dollar
— Calais Campbell (@Campbell93)
