The Denver Broncos are expecting to get Peyton Manning back for 2015 and now they are working on bringing back his top receiver in Demaryius Thomas, who could be in line for the franchise tag if the team can't sign him to a long term extension and this comes as the team may target Jordan Cameron, Jermaine Gresham or Torrey Smith with Julius Thomas and Wes Welker hitting free agency.
The Broncos are coming into the offseason after another playoffs loss and with Manning likely to return, the team is looking to lock up Demaryius Thomas. John Elway opted to hire Gary Kubiak after parting ways with John Fox and Kubiak has already come out to say that he is excited to work with Manning and wants him to return. According to ESPN.com, Kubiak said that he is expecting Manning to return and that the team has been planning for that outcome since he was hired.
The Denver Post reported last week that the Broncos could ask Manning to take a pay cut, but right now that has not been a concern for the two sides. The Broncos have a number of free agents hitting the market, including Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Orlando Franklin, Rahim Moore and Wes Welker. Thomas the wide receiver is expected to return, while Julius Thomas could end up leaving, as teams like the Browns and Raiders reportedly will target him.
The Broncos have Thomas, Virgil Green and Jacob Tamme all hitting the free agent market and that could lead the team to sign someone like Cameron or Gresham this winter. Both of those players are not expected to cost too much, as Cameron is coming off of an injury plagued season with the Browns and is not expected to sign back there. Manning loves using the tight end position, as he has hit Thomas with 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons combined.
Manning had another fantastic season with 4727 yards passing with 39 touchdowns, but his numbers suffered down the stretch after he came down with an injury in December. Manning is going to be 39 years old coming into this season and he said after the 2014 year ended that he would take a step back and think about his decision. Manning reportedly has told the team he wants to come back and once he is on the roster past a certain date in March, his $19 million salary will become guaranteed. Manning will have a physical for the team and could negotiate a new deal to help the team lower his cap number.
Larry Fitzgerald could become available if he doesn't work out a new deal with the Cardinals, as his cap number is at over $20 million for next year. The Cardinals may release Fitzgerald and if that happens he could be a target for the New England Patriots of the broncos, Welker is a free agent and is not expected to return to the Broncos after signing for two years and $12 million following his departure from the Patriots.
