The 31-year-old former Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas likely has maybe one or two good years left, as long as he can stay healthy.
However, that is easier said than done, as the former NFL Offensive Player of the Year from 2019 has only played 13 games in the last three years in New Orleans, missing the entire 2021 season and coming off 2023 playing only 10 games after missing three in 2022.
In 2021, Thomas had ankle surgery and a setback that led him to miss most of the year, affecting him earlier that season playing through it.
The following season in 2022, he played a few games before being placed on injured reserve, this time with a foot injury. This past year even on a restructured contract, the veteran pass catcher had another separate injury, now with his knee that led to his placement on injury reserve again mid-way through the 2023 season.
With the start of the offseason, the Saints decided to release the three-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro receiver Thomas as a post-June 1 designated cut.
Michael Thomas Still Holds Multiple Accolades with Saints
Despite the last three years hampered by multiple injuries, Thomas still has four 1,000-plus yard seasons for New Orleans. The former 2016 second-round pick is for sure a shade of his prime days, as his last great season was in 2019, as the leader in most receptions from a single season with 149 as a two-time receptions leader in consecutive two years (2018-2019).
The highly decorated slot playmaker had career highs four seasons ago with 1,725 yards as the receiving yards leader, along with 9 touchdowns.
There is baggage with the veteran even with his caliber of talent, as Thomas had an off-field altercation last year that didn’t end up with any suspension but led to an arrest, not exactly glowing when considering signing him.
The combination of red flags and age might be why he is still a free agent, as Thomas could last up to August through training camp into Week 1 depending on his condition working out for teams.
Former Saints/ Steelers WR Lists Team for Michael Thomas
On the Up & Adams show with Kay Adams, former NFL wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders mentioned Thomas when talking about the Steelers receiver group as someone to add.
Sanders was a third-round pick back in 2010 and was drafted by Pittsburgh and spent a few seasons with the Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans, and Buffalo Bills.
When asked about the other receivers opposite George Pickens, he advocated for the Steelers to sign the free-agent receiver Thomas.
“I have never met a guy besides myself and Antonio Brown, who at practice every single rep is going full-speed,” he said. “I remember a few times in New Orleans when we had walkthroughs and Mike’s still running at full speed. I’m looking at him like he’s crazy.”
Despite the veteran pass catcher’s lengthy recent injury history, Sanders still thinks he would be worth the pickup for Pittsburgh to complete their receiving core.
“Obviously, Mike hasn’t been healthy, but every time I think about Mike, I think about a healthy Michael Thomas making plays.”
Also Read: Buy or Sell? Contract Extensions Have Some Critical Teams Scrambling in 2024
Top Free Agent WR Available is Former Saints’ Michael Thomas
In new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith‘s offense, Pittsburgh doesn’t have anyone proven as a starter besides Pickens despite a few additions this offseason. The Steelers drafted Roman Wilson in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, as he should be their starting slot receiver competing with Calvin Austin III.
In free agency, Pittsburgh signed multiple receivers, including 27-year-old Van Jefferson, 25-year-old Quez Watkins, and 26-year-old Scotty Miller this offseason.
According to Spotrac, the only wide receivers that teams could consider signing this late into the offseason include Hunter Renfrow, Mecole Hardman, Russell Gage, and Jamal Agnew. The former receiver from New Orleans is by far the most notable and accomplished name of this group.
Some other potential contenders that could need a third or fourth veteran wide receiver like Michael Thomas on the roster besides the Steelers include the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons, and Baltimore Ravens.
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Previously wrote for Fansided NFL Mocks, Pro Football Network, uInterview/ uSports, the Daily Culture, and Ironiq Media. Recent Journalism/ Media Studies Grad and wrote for Impact News, the award-winning news publication of Mercy College, now Mercy University.
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