Saints decide to bring WR Michael Thomas back after all
New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas has played just 10 games since setting the NFL record for most single-season receptions (149) three years ago.
And while there were serious doubts the Saints would bring the 30-year-old back for a seventh season with the club, that’s exactly what they’re doing after agreeing to a one-year deal that could be worth up to $15M on Tuesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Newly signed quarterback Derek Carr presumably played a role in Thomas’ return. The three-time Pro Bowl quarterback spoke highly of Thomas during his introductory press conference.
"The first time I talked to him on the phone I don't think he wanted me to get off the phone,” Carr said. “I really enjoyed talking to him. I told Mickey (Loomis), you talk to Mike Thomas you feel like you two can go face the world. I told my wife when I got off the phone and just asked 'why are you smiling?' and I was like, I love this guy; he's so competitive and I think the energy that he brings, it's a very exciting time to throw him the football. So, when he started recruitment, talking to me and all that he wasn't even trying to recruit me he was like, 'When are we getting to work? We are wasting time.’”
A mutual parting of ways seemed to be in the cards after New Orleans restructured Thomas’ contract in January, dropping his salary to the league minimum in order to give the Saints more cap flexibility.
Thomas took the league by storm during his first four seasons, which included two First Team All-Pro selections, three Pro Bowls and an Offensive Player of the Year award.
The Ohio State alum totaled 92 or more receptions and 1,100 or more yards each year, and he had nine or more touchdown catches in three of those four years.
But Thomas, a former second-round pick, was limited to just seven games during the 2020 season then missed the entire 2021 season after suffering some setbacks following ankle surgery.
He returned this season to play in two-plus games before hurting his foot in Week 3 against the Carolina Panthers. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve after the game.
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