Demaryius Thomas
Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Phillip Gaines (23) in the first half of a 2014 game in Kansas City. Reuters/John Rieger/USA Today Sports

Wide receiver DeMaryius Thomas is not joining the mandatory training camp of the Denver Broncos with hopes that the move can force the team to give him a long-term contract extension. According to Chris Wesseling of NFL.com, Thomas is holding out because no new deal is in place.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media Insider states that Broncos veteran star quarterback Peyton Manning is upset that he does not have his No. 1 target available at this point of the offseason.

Thomas' situation with the Broncos is similar to that of wide receiver Dez Bryant with the Dallas Cowboys. Bryant, like Thomas, will earn nearly $13 million in the 2015 NFL season but also wants a long-term deal before the season starts. Both Bryant and Thomas will become an unrestricted free agent in 2016 if they don’t reach a long-term deal with their respective teams. The Broncos and Thomas have until July 15 to reach a long-term deal.

The 27-year-old Thomas is a three-time NFL Pro Bowler, making the team the past three seasons. He holds the Broncos’ single-season record for most receiving yards in a season with 1,619 yards on 111 catches in 2014.

In five seasons with the Broncos, who drafted Thomas in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft, or No. 22 overall, he has recorded three seasons with 1,400-plus receiving yards.

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