The Facts: Following up on the ongoing story. ... Reportedly seeking a near record in guarantees for TEs, Thomas has rejected a five-year, $40 million offer that wasn't structured to his specifications. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport expects GM John Elway to let Thomas test his value on the open market -- unless Peyton Manning goes to bat for one of his favorite targets. Thomas will have a "very active market" for his services with Jacksonville and Oakland as potential landing spots, per Rapoport. Atlanta has also been mentioned as a likely suitor.

Diehards Line:Well that's going way out on a limb. ... For starters, all of that has been previously reported. And there are questions in Denver about the former college hoops star's injury history as well as his fit in Gary Kubiak's scheme that requires tight ends to do more blocking on cutback runs. And the fact there will be a number of suitors also makes sense. As NFL.com suggests, Thomas isn't merely a product of Manning's offense. His emergence as a mismatch for linebackers and safeties was the engine that drove the Broncos' record-breaking attack in 2013. Despite missing considerable time in 2014, Thomas still became the first tight end in NFL history with at least 12 touchdowns in back-to-back years.