Now that the ink has dried on star wideout Demaryius Thomas’ shiny new 5-year deal worth $70 million and the 4 p.m ET deadline for franchise tagged players to sign long-term gigs a thing of the past, the Denver Broncos have put their franchise in an enviable position for both the long term and short term.

Sure, the team broke the bank a bit to make the deal work as more than half of the $70 million is guaranteed. But, what they lost today at the negotiation table would’ve been nothing compared to what they would’ve lost should Thomas have gone unsigned and escaped to free agency at the end of the year-long franchise deal.

His departure would only have hindered the team’s future success and, perhaps more importantly, Peyton Manning’s successor.

Thomas is an invaluable asset to whoever is calling the shots on the field. He is a massive target with tremendous speed and solid hands. Any first-time signal-caller, like the one who will be replacing Manning, could use a guy like Thomas to lean on when the going gets rough.

When Andrew Luck started with the Indianapolis Colts, he posted a serviceable rookie campaign by leaning on wideout Reggie Wayne to tune of 107 receptions and over 1,300 yards of offense. There is no doubt Thomas could easily play a similar role when the Broncos decide who will be given the keys to the kingdom. His experience, not all that different from Wayne’s brand of know-how, will help smooth out the peaks and valleys which mark a quarterback’s first full season under center. Luckily, this fate is no longer in doubt with Thomas locked up for the foreseeable future.

That’s not to say an outlook without Thomas was setting up to be just south of awful, but it would’ve made any turnaround attempt look clumsy. The Broncos remain competitive at least for the next five years. That alone makes the deal worth it.

Not to mention, the presence of a deal also assuages some of pressure for the Broncos to win it all right now. There is no looming threat of Thomas leaving when Manning decides to call it a career. No matter what happens with star quarterback, Denver keeps their franchise cornerstone and retains some form of continuity within the organization.

The best business decisions yield profits for years to come. Thomas may have only signed a five-year deal in Denver, but the organization will still benefit long after the contract expires.

Mike Carlson is a Denver Broncos Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @deejayactual, add him to your network on Google, or “Like” him on Facebook.