By Jordan Long
The Denver Broncos fell to 3-5 on the season after a disappointing 30-23 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. This marks the 7th straight loss for the Broncos against Kansas City. Denver will need to wait until next year to end the streak since Kansas City swept the season series. Now there are trade rumors involving Broncos’ wide receiver Demaryius Thomas.
Thomas is in his 9th year in Denver. He hasn’t had a great season to this point with 402 yards receiving and 3 touchdowns. Quarterback Case Keenum can’t trust Thomas in the passing game because of his drops. When Keenum throws it his way, the defenders knock it away or Thomas can’t secure the catch which results in an incomplete pass.
Thomas knows with the trade deadline looming on Tuesday, Sunday could have been his last game as a member of the Denver Broncos. According to USAtoday.com, Thomas said, “I wish I knew, bro. I wish I could tell you. I really don’t know. Predict? Fifty-fifty. I really don’t know.’’
The Broncos at 3-5 don’t look like a playoff team. They must make decisions now in order to be an improved team in 2019. Dealing Thomas could be that move. Thomas is one of the top receivers on the Broncos, even if his numbers don’t show it this year. In his 9 years in the NFL, he has a total of 9,025 receiving yards and 60 touchdowns. Thomas’ yards and touchdowns rank 2nd in Denver Broncos’ history, only behind Rod Smith. His average yards per catch is an impressive 13.6 yards.
Denver might be better off letting Thomas go because of his cap number. Thomas is owed $12 million this year and next season his cap hit is $17.5 million, a lot of money for Denver to take on. Denver could save that money for free agents to improve the team. Plus they will receive something back even if it is a draft pick.
The trouble is Denver has to find a team willing to take on Thomas’ salary. The worst-case scenario is Denver keeps him for the rest of the year. They could always try and make an agreement with a team during the offseason.
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