Sean Payton denies Michael Thomas trade rumors

Sean Payton has responded to rumors that the Saints might trade their biggest offensive weapon. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Sean Payton on Michael Thomas trade rumors: 'Insiders on the outside where they belong'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 10/24/20

Rumors surfaced Saturday morning that the New Orleans Saints might be willing to trade All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas this season. While it certainly makes sense to wonder whether or not Thomas remains in the team's plans moving forward, Saints head coach Sean Payton responded to the rumors on Saturday afternoon.

Payton's Twitter account is private, but Katherine Terrell of The Athletic shared a photo of the 56-year-old's response to a Bleacher Report tweet saying that insiders believe the Saints are willing to deal the reigning Offensive Player of the Year.

"Insiders on the Outside where they belong," Payton responded.

In case people wanted a direct response on this, here you go: pic.twitter.com/EuRMa6WyOP
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 24, 2020

The rumors surrounding Thomas, as we mentioned above, are fair. The 27-year-old will miss his fifth straight game this weekend. He was initially ruled out for three weeks due to an ankle injury. The Saints then punished him for punching a teammate, benching him during Week 5 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

He was on track to play this week, but a hamstring injury suffered during practice ruined any chance of that.

Before this season, Thomas missed just one game during his rookie campaign in 2016 with an unspecified foot injury.

Thomas, who is in his fifth season with the Saints, is a three-time Pro Bowler and is coming off a record-breaking season. He broke the NFL single-season record with 149 receptions. He also led the league with 1,725 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, eclipsing the 100-yard mark in 10 games.

If the Saints trade him, they'll absolutely be expecting a haul in return.

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