Michael Thomas is one of the more intriguing names on the free agent market right now when it comes to available wide receivers after hitting the open market despite several outstanding NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints.
Thomas, 31, was once a premiere wide receiver in the NFL but in recent years he’s struggled to stay on the field and when he has, he’s looked like a shell of his former All-Pro self. Since setting the NFL single-season record for catches (149) in 2019, Thomas has appeared in just 20 games. This past season, he started in seven of his 10 games played, tallying 39 catches for 448 yards and just one touchdown
Between his decline and the emergence of wideout Chris Olave, Thomas’s time his exit from the New Orleans Saint felt inevitable. He’ll enter free agency with an impressive resúmé that includes two All-Pro and three Pro Bowl selections.
Even though he’s not the player that he once was, his career likely has at least one more chapter left.
While there hasn’t been a team to pounce on Michael Thomas yet, ESPN’s Jeremey Fowler suggests the Baltimore Ravens — who just parted ways with Odell Beckham Jr. — as an ideal landing spot for the former New Orleans Saints wideout.
Like OBJ, Thomas is a big-name guy at the position. Drafted by the Saints in the second round in 2016, Thomas hasn’t reached his potential in New Orleans because of injuries – missing the entire 2021 season with an ankle.
But the former Ohio State Buckeyes pass catcher is a three-time Pro Bowler (2017, 2018, 2019) and a two-time first-team All-Pro. Thomas was named the 2019 AP Offensive Player of the Year when he registered career highs with 149 catches, 1,725 yards and averaged 107.8 yards per game. He also tied his career mark with nine touchdowns.
Over his eight-year career, Michael Thomas has registered 565 catches on 743 targets for 6,569 yards and 36 touchdowns over 83 games all while playing for the New Orleans Saints.
Spotrac projects the 31-year-old’s free-agent deal to be worth $9.2 million for a one-year deal. NFL teams might be leary to offer Thomas more than one or two seasons because of his recent injury history – playing in just 20 games over the last four years.
His role with the Ravens could likely be much different than it was in New Orleans. Thomas probably wouldn’t see many double teams because of the presence of Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews. He was expected to carry the Saints’ offense and that would not be the case in Baltimore.
Former New Orleans Saints WR Michael Thomas Sentenced For Assault And Battery And Criminal Mischief Charges
Before Thomas can even think about playing football in 2024, he must abide by the sentence handed to him by a judge earlier this week dude to his involvement in an altercation that resulted in the NFL WR getting charged with two crimes back in the fall.
Back in November, Thomas was charged with battery and criminal mischief after an incident in which he was accused of shoving a contractor and damaging the man’s phone and vehicle.
According to NOLA.com’s Michelle Hunter, Michal Thomas is set to enter a six-month pre-trial diversion, and the charges will be dropped when he completes the program.
Thomas’ attorney says the former New Orleans Saints wide receiver has “cooperated with authorities at every step of the process” as it pertains to his arrest and the resulting charges, and that he is now focused on his football career.
Thomas is looking to get his career back on track after playing a limited number of games over the last few seasons and this seems like a good starts.
He was once one of the best receivers in all of football, leading the league in receptions in two straight seasons.
He had one of the greatest seasons by a wide receiver in NFL history in 2009, leading the league with 1,725 yards and an NFL-record 149 catches.