The Denver Broncos answered this NFL offseason's biggest question when they announced the hiring of Gary Kubiak as their new head coach.
But the work for Denver and GM John Elway is far from finished.
The team is facing difficult free agent decisions on a handful of talented, soon-to-be-expensive players, only some of whom can realistically be brought back to the fold.
According to the latest rumor from Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, Elway and the team plan to slap wide receiver Demaryius Thomas with the franchise tag and let tight end Julius Thomas walk.
"According to sources I've talked to, Demaryius Thomas is expected to get the franchise tag so that the Broncos will make sure that they keep him for at least one year and also have leverage on him in terms of a long-term deal," said Cole on an episode of Bleacher Report's Inside Buzz.
"There is no intention of them letting him get to the market. They don't want him to test his value, they want to keep him."
The former first-round pick out of Georgia Tech just completed his best statistical season as a pro, finishing the year with 111 catches for 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has become one of quarterback Peyton Manning's favorite big-play targets the last few seasons - he had 94 receptions for 1,434 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2012 and 92 catches for 1,430 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2013.
If the fifth-year pro is slapped with the tag, he will receive a salary of approximately $12.8 million for next season, according to NFLTradeRumors.com.
As for tight end Julius Thomas and defensive tackle Terrance Knighton, sources tell Cole that the team plans to allow them to test free agency and assess the value they garner on the open market.
Thomas, a former fourth-round pick, finished this season with 43 catches for 489 yards and 12 touchdowns. The Portland State product has become a red-zone target and safety blanket for Manning. While he suffered an ankle injury and his stats took a down-turn, he finished last season with 65 receptions for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns.
It was his inability to finish the season strong - he had only five catches over the final four games - and fight through his ankle injury that has the team wary of signing him long-term.
Both players helped the Broncos offense finish this season ranked fourth overall in the NFL in yards passing.
As for Knighton, the concern for the team is his weight. He finished this season with 30 tackles and two sacks.
