The New Orleans Saints will release wide receiver Michael Thomas prior to the start of the new league year next week, The Times-Picayune reported Thursday.
Thomas was in line to receive a base salary of $1.21 million this season with a roster bonus of $2.2 million. He carried a cap hit of just over $12.4 million, per Spotrac.
Thomas, 31, has spent his entire career with New Orleans since being selected by the Saints in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. The two-time All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowl selection recorded consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in his first four years in the league, culminating with 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns in 2019, when he was named Offensive Player of the Year.
Thomas has endured several injury-riddled seasons since catching an NFL record 149 passes in 2019. He has played in 20 games (15 starts) over the last four years, including missing the entire 2021 season due to an ankle injury.
Thomas had 39 catches for 448 yards with a touchdown in 10 games (seven starts) last season before landing on injured reserve due to an ailing knee.
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