Heading into the morning of the Wednesday deadline for long term contracts, franchise tag players Demaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston have not reached deals with the Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, NY Giants and Kansas City Chiefs and for Houston, reports say he has the best chance to sign a deal among the players left who were hit with the franchise tag.
The Broncos and Thomas have been talking about a deal and this comes as Bryant is also working on a contract with the Cowboys. Pro Football Talk reported that the NFLPA thinks there may have been "collusion" between the Cowboys and Broncos regarding the contracts and that has been an underlying issue in negotiations. Mike Klis of KUSA-TV in Denver, Thomas "is expected to skip training camp and the preseason" if the sides do not reach a long term deal.
UPDATE: Per ESPN: "Demaryius Thomas, Broncos Agree On Five-Year, $70M Deal"
Thomas comes in after putting up huge numbers in his last three seasons, including a career best 111 catches for 1619 yards and 11 touchdowns. According to NFL.com, Thomas and the Broncos are not close and "barring a significant turn" it is unlikely they reach a deal. Over the last three years Thomas has had at least 90 catches, 1400 yards and 10 touchdowns.
UPDATE: Adam Schefter of ESPN: "Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter Chiefs LB Justin Houston's new 6-year, $101 million deal also is second richest deal in NFL history behind only Ndamukong Suh's."
The Chiefs and Houston reportedly have had talks leading into this week and according to Pro Football Talk, there is a "50-50 chance" that Houston gets signed. Mike Florio writes that the two sides did not have much progress "for months" and that could keep them from getting close to a deal now with the deadline at 4 pm. Houston is coming in after a career season and he has put up an average of a sack per game over his last 43 games, according to ESPN.com stats.
Houston is 26 years old and is looking for a long term deal and he comes in after putting up 22 sacks last season and 11 sacks in 2013. Houston has had at least 10 sacks in each of the past three seasons and he put up 11 in 11 games in 2013. Florio reports that guaranteed money is likely the biggest point between the two sides in the deal, as he's "more likely than a 30-something player to cash every check" of this contract.
The sides have until 4 pm to reach a deal. Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and Jason Pierre also have been hit with the franchise tag and are working on contracts.
Check here for more on Houston and the Chiefs talking a deal ahead of the deadline and for more on Thomas and the Broncos.
