Broncos waiting to hear back on offer to Emmanuel Sanders

CENTENNIAL, Colo. -- Tavon Austin didn't do the Broncos any favors. When he signed a four-year, $42 million contract with the Los Angeles Rams last Saturday, it seemed to set a new floor for Emmanuel Sanders' value. The Broncos receiver is seeking a contract extension. The deals for Seattle's Doug Baldwin (four-year, $46 million) and Jacksonville's Allen Hurns (four-year, $40.6 million) established previous parameters this offseason. 

Sanders's production creates an argument for more money than those three, even as he's the second receiver in Denver behind Demaryius Thomas. Those players, however, are younger than the 29-year-old Sanders. 

The Broncos are actively trying to secure Sanders on a new deal, but general manager John Elway said he has not heard from the receiver's camp since Sunday.

"The only thing that changed (in the talks) was the other contract, Tavon Austin. We're moving in the right direction. They are looking at it though," Elway said. 

Austin received $25 million guaranteed, trumping Baldwin ($24.2 M) and Hurns ($20 M). Sanders has 15 touchdowns in two seasons with the Broncos as he enters the final year of his contract. He's considered one of the toughest players in the league. Sanders tweeted out: "Roll the (dice) -- Bet on yourself" on Saturday morning. Fans interpreted this as his willingness to go into the season without an extension. The Broncos haven't given up on striking a deal, though they typically don't like to negotiate during the season.

"You know we tried not to (carry this into the season)," Elway said. "Obviously, we've been going through this, so we wanted to hear back last Sunday and haven't heard anything from them. That's kind of where it is."