NFL Rumors: Michael Thomas Expected to Be Released by Saints Before Free Agency

The New Orleans Saints are expected to release receiver Michael Thomas, according to Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune.

After Duncan's report surfaced, Thomas took to social media to respond:

According to Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the deal Thomas signed last year requires the Saints to release him on March 13.

Thomas spent his first eight NFL seasons in New Orleans. A superstar upon his arrival in the 2016 NFL draft, Thomas emerged as one of the sport's premier receivers before injuries derailed his career.

The Ohio State product made three Pro Bowl teams in his first four seasons and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after setting an NFL record with 149 receptions.

The four years since have been nothing short of a nightmare. Thomas has played in just 20 total games thanks to repeated ankle issues and then a knee injury that cut his 2023 season short at 10 games.

While last season was Thomas' healthiest since 2019, he was also a shell of himself. He recorded just 39 receptions for 448 yards and one touchdown before being placed on injured reserve.

The Saints and Thomas worked together on multiple occasions to restructure his five-year, $100 million contract amid the team's cap woes, but it appears a personality conflict was the final straw. Thomas publicly ripped quarterback Derek Carr for throwing the pass that got him injured and the team's offensive system.

It's a virtual certainty that Thomas will wind up having to take a one-year contract to prove both his health and ability at this point in his career. He turned 31 on March 3 and would be winding down his prime even if he'd spent his entire career fully healthy. Keenan Allen was the only Pro Bowl wide receiver age 31 or above last season.

Thomas is clearly motivated to continue playing and recapture some of the glory from early in his career. It just won't be happening in New Orleans.