Even after his career went off course in the 2020s, Michael Thomas’s four-year period of success in the 2010s continued to present opportunities. The wide receiver who is prone to injuries looks like he will eventually leave the Saints.
When the new league year kicks off on March 13, New Orleans is anticipated to release Thomas, according to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com. Despite playing in more games last season than he had in any other since 2019, Thomas’s history of ailments meant that he was unlikely to return for the 2024 campaign.
Thomas, who turned 31 last Monday, suffered a knee ailment that kept him out of the Saints’ last seven games. With this, the former All-Pro’s total of games missed since 2020 has reached an astounding 48. This is due to a number of injuries, the most recent of which put a stop to a season in which Thomas caught 39 passes for 448 yards in 10 games. This yardage total doubles what he has gained since finishing the 2019 season with an NFL-high 1,725 yards, which included an NFL record-tying 149 catches.
Following the Saints’ five-year, $96.25MM contract agreement to the former second-round pick, came that season. With consecutive first-team All-Pro seasons in 2018 and 2019, Thomas contributed to Drew Brees’ continued success as one of the league’s top quarterbacks well into his early 40s. However, the Ohio State alum’s knee, foot, and ankle issues that have derailed his career in the 2020s will most likely force him to leave town.
Since these are the Saints, a convoluted contract structure exists. Following several modifications in the previous year, the parties decided to try again with a $10MM payment. According to ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell, Thomas’ most recent contract was intended to be either extended or eliminated from the Saints’ roster; the latter option will result in $11.2MM in dead money through a post-June 1 designation. The Saints are expected to make use of both of their permitted post-June 1 movements this season, as Marcus Maye is scheduled to be cut on March 13.
According to Duncan, Thomas was also detained on a minor violence charge in the previous season. The gifted wideout also had a bad reputation within the Saints’ locker room. The parties will soon split ways, even if it is evident that this did not stop the Dennis Allen-led team from agreeing to a second reunion last year when Thomas stated he was only interested in playing for the Saints once more.
Although the Broncos are the current landing spot for ex-Saints, it will be interesting to see if Sean Payton would take a chance here. Thomas rankled the Saints by not going through with an ankle surgery early during the 2021 offseason, leading to a mid-offseason operation that delayed his return in what became Payton’s final year with the team. A setback then led to Thomas missing all of the 2021 season, leaving the Saints with a bottom-tier receiving corps. While the Broncos have some issues to sort out at receiver, Thomas would not seem a lock to reunite with Payton once the Saints officially move on. But adding a former All-Pro at a low rate could appeal to a team regrouping after what will become the most expensive release in NFL history.
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