NFL Rumors: Saints Don't Plan to Trade Michael Thomas, Want WR Back with Team in 2022

After missing the entire 2021 season, Michael Thomas' future with the New Orleans Saints reportedly isn't as uncertain as it seemed.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Saints don't intend to trade Thomas and expect him back on the field in 2022:

"It seems the curiosity and saga surrounding Michael Thomas, the Saints' standout receiver, is coming to a close in a positive way for all parties. He's spent considerable time in New York after another setback with his [ankle], getting weekly treatments. That's where he has been really since the regular season ended. ... He is back in New Orleans now, he's been communicating with the team."

Thomas had surgery to repair ligaments in his ankle in June that was expected to keep him out for four months.

Prior to the start of training camp in July, Saints head coach Sean Payton expressed his frustration that Thomas waited to have the procedure.

"Well, look, it appears we're gonna have to spend some time without him," Payton said. "It's disappointing. And we'll work through it with the other players that are here. But the surgery took place, and obviously we would've liked that to happen earlier than later. And quite honestly, it should've."

Larry Holder of The Athletic reported in August that the Saints were "more than open" to dealing Thomas.

Thomas announced in November that he suffered a setback in his recovery and would miss the entire 2021 season. His escalating salary combined with the Saints' cap situation seemed to suggest the two sides were headed for a divorce this offseason.

The 28-year-old has a $15.35 million base salary in 2022. His $24.7 million cap hit ranks second among all wide receivers next season, behind only DeAndre Hopkins of the Arizona Cardinals ($25.05 million).

New Orleans is currently $76.1 million over the cap, per Spotrac. No other team is more than $48.4 million over the 2022 salary cap.

Thomas has restructured his contract in each of the past two seasons to help the Saints get under the cap. He has spent his entire six-year NFL career in New Orleans after being selected with the 47th overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft.

The Ohio State alum had at least 1,100 receiving yards in each of his first four seasons. He was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after recording an NFL-record 149 receptions for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns.