Could this be the end of the “Can’t Guard Mike” era in New Orleans?
Michael Thomas was chosen by the New Orleans Saints with the 47th choice in the 2016 NFL Draft, over eight years ago.
Upon entering the NFL, the former Ohio State wide receiver had an instant effect on the Saints offense.
In his debut season, he recorded 92 receptions, 1137 yards, and 9 touchdowns; over the following three years, those totals would only rise.
In actuality, Thomas still owns the NFL record with 470 receptions in his first four years of play, and he trails only Justin Jefferson in yards with 5,512.
Thomas was recognized as a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time First Team All-Pro, and Offensive Player of the Year within the same period between the 2016 and 19 seasons.
Since reaching the pinnacle of his career in 2019, the former Ohio State Buckeye WR has only suited up and played a meek total of 20 games over
the last 4 seasons. Multiple injuries have now severely plagued his overall team presence and more importantly, his production on the field.
Thomas played in 10 games this past season while posting 39 receptions for 448 yards and 1 score, with those numbers being eerily similar to his first injury riddled season where he only played in 7 games during the 2020 season (40 recs/ 438 yds/0 TD’s).
On the field, the majority of Who Dat Nation and his teammates would undoubtedly agree that MT gives it his all, competes at an exceptionally high
level, and plays with a “natural chip” the size of his home state of California on his shoulder. At this juncture, where the rubber hits the road, the
Saints will need to make a difficult financial decision regarding Thomas’s continued employment with the team.
The biggest problem and the unavoidable issue looming over “Can’t Guard Mike’s” remaining career in New Orleans is the obvious, his health.
The wideout is going into his 10th NFL season and still under contract with the Black and Gold, as he is due a $1.2M base salary for the 2024-25
season. In addition to this being his last of a 5-year deal he signed in 2019, the emergence of young budding stars Chris Olave, All-Pro/Pro Bowler Rasheed Shaheed and rookie A.T.
Perry makes Thomas’s situation in the wide receiver room more intriguing. Having said all of that, I think he brings a lot of experience and leadership to the squad, which makes him valuable.
Of all the offseason subplots for the Saints organization, this one will undoubtedly be one of the more interesting ones. The constant pendulum between Michael Thomas’s past great performance and what current injury-related years have shown us is at its highest point in terms of his future. I’ll be watching this one closely to see how it ends.
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