Joe Thomas Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation on Browns LT's Future

Cleveland Browns left tackle Joe Thomas was linked to a potential trade, via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, before he remained with the Browns as the deadline passed.

Continue for updates.

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Thomas' Agent Refutes Report

Sunday, Nov. 8

Rapoport reported Thomas asked the Browns "to see what was out there." He added: "When [Thomas] learned he was nearly traded to [the Broncos], his agents smartly asked for guaranteed [money] in ’16 and ’17 to remain in Denver." Finally, Rapoport noted the "trade broke down when Broncos wouldn’t guarantee as much as Thomas wanted."

Rapoport's string of reports quickly prompted a response from Thomas' agent, Peter Schaffer, who released a statement to ProFootballTalk, per Mike Florio.

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“There’s not one truth to it,” [Schaffer] told PFT by phone on Sunday morning. “The deal just didn’t happen. [The teams] couldn’t agree to compensation. . . . The word ‘guarantee’ never came up. It never got to that point.” [...]

Beyond the word “guarantee,” Schaffer says that there were no talks of any kind about the remaining three years of the contract, which pays Thomas $8.3 million in 2016, $8.8 million in 2017, and $8.8 million in 2018.

“I never asked for any re-do of the contract,” Schaffer said. “The Broncos never asked to do anything with the contract. We never asked for guaranteed money. The whole thing is made up.” [...]

“I wish that before people would put stories out they would try to confirm that there is some accuracy to it,” Schaffer said.

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Broncos, Browns Reportedly Attempted to Make Deal

Tuesday, Nov. 3

Prior to the 4 p.m. ET trade deadline, Dianna Marie Russini of ESPN reported the Browns and Broncos were working on a deal that would send Thomas and a 2016 fourth-round pick to Denver in exchange for a first- or second-round pick in 2016. However, Browns head coach Mike Pettine said the Browns didn't make any deals before the deadline, per CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post reported Cleveland's asking price was too steep:

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In the end, the deal fizzled over the amount of compensation Cleveland wanted, not because of the 2 p.m. deadline or money. The Broncos were poised to restructure contracts, meaning the salary cap would not have been an issue in taking on Thomas' remaining $4.15 million this season, according to an NFL source. The Browns' asking price was deemed too high. While there were different mutations, Cleveland sought Denver's first and second-round picks in the 2016 draft at different points in the discussions.

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Vic Lombardi of CBS Denver first reported the Broncos had looked into acquiring Thomas after Ty Sambrailo was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

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Browns' Asking Price for Thomas Revealed

Tuesday, Nov. 3

Adam Schefter of ESPN reported the Browns were asking for two first-round draft picks in exchange for Thomas. "They won't get that," Schefter added.

An official familiar with the proposal told Schefter the deal was "this close," before it ultimately fell through.

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Thomas Deal Would Have Signaled More Rebuilding in Cleveland

Thomas, 30, has spent each of his first nine seasons with Cleveland after being taken No. 3 overall in 2007. An eight-time Pro Bowler, he has never missed a game and has maintained a reputation as perhaps the NFL's best tackle, despite the Browns' revolving door at quarterback.

Pro Football Focus graded Thomas as the league's second-best tackle through the season's first eight weeks, putting him just behind of the Dallas Cowboys' Tyron Smith.

That the Browns would consider moving a consistent stud tackle like Thomas is curious. They haven't made the playoffs since 2002 and have maneuvered in recent seasons to become competitive. It just hasn't worked. They're six games behind the Cincinnati Bengals in the loss column and are likely headed for their eighth straight losing season. 

Thomas has three more seasons remaining on his contract after 2015 but has no dead money attached. Trading him would have sent the message to the Browns fanbase that the team has no intention of competing for a playoff berth anytime soon.

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter.