Broncos sign Demaryius Thomas to long-term deal:
What does it mean for the future?

Never doubt John Elway in the clutch.

If Broncos Country or anyone in the NFL could or would given his past. This is just more proof.

The great week for Demaryius Thomas continues. It started with the news his mother, Katina Smith, got her sentence commuted by President Obama. Now it ends with Thomas getting a 5-year, $70 million contract with the Denver Broncos, with $35 million of that guaranteed in the first two years.

It’s basically the same deal Dez Bryant got from the Dallas Cowboys – the only difference is $1.5 million in guaranteed money (as well as that money he gets upfront). But let’s hold up on that until we all see the language in Bryant’s contract. Rest assured there are a lot of clauses in that deal to help protect Jerry Jones and the franchise. I would assume both are basically three-year deals with the last two meaning next to nothing.

Regardless, Elway and the Broncos inked one of their guys. He joins Chris Harris Jr. on that list, with his five-year, $42.5 million contract, with $20 million guaranteed, he signed in December.

“We are thrilled to reach a long-term contract agreement with Demaryius Thomas,” Elway said in a news release from the Broncos. “He has developed into one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, and making sure he remained a Denver Bronco was a significant priority for our team.”

“Demaryius is a special talent and an elite player who has also become a team leader during his five NFL seasons. We are very much looking forward to him playing a major role in the success of the Broncos well into the future.”

Don’t discount that fact, given the players Elway has let walk the last few years (Eric Decker, Zane Beadles, Julius Thomas and Orlando Franklin come to mind). This shows the rest of the organization that when you do outstanding things on the field (and are good off the field), you will get rewarded for it.

It also ensures Thomas will remain in Denver for the next five years and he will be at Dove Valley when training camp starts in two weeks – no risk for a holdout any longer.

But those are secondary to what this really means for the Broncos: They can now focus on Von Miller. Instead of having both players entering potential unrestricted free agency, this allows Elway and the front office to start negotiations for a long-term deal with Miller today. At the very least it gives the Broncos flexibility for the next season and offseason. If need be, Denver can place franchise tag on Miller, and do what it did with Thomas.

Given the absurd contract Justin Houston got from the Kansas City Chiefs, over $50 million guaranteed, Miller should be grinning ear-to-ear. If Miller has the year most (and himself) expect, he will top Houston’s number. As Miller should.

But the only reason that can happen is because of the Broncos and Thomas agreeing to this deal.

You would expect that contract to be cap friendly, as they usually are with Denver. It also gives the cap space to get Miller inked to a long-term deal.

Again, a huge factor in this for the other players in the locker room given some of the names who have left.

As Broncos Country and the NFL should know:

Never doubt Elway in the clutch.