One of the most explosive game-changing players in New Orleans Saints history will reportedly be released in the coming days.

According to Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune/The New Orleans Advocate, the Saints plan to release three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Michael Thomas before free agency begins next Wednesday:

“The former All-Pro receiver is expected to be released at some point before the start of the league year, which begins next week on March 13.

It’s not a matter of if the Saints move on, but when, according to multiple sources.”

The 31-year-old Thomas was among the NFL’s elite offensive players over his first four years from 2016 to 2019. He opened his career with four straight seasons of over 90 catches and more than 1,000 receiving yards.

 

 


Thomas led the NFL in receptions in 2018 and 2019, including a single-season record 149 catches in the latter year. Thomas was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 and earned the second First-team All-Pro nod of his career.

Unfortunately, injuries quickly derailed the career of a fan favorite in New Orleans who was on a Hall of Fame trajectory. Thomas missed nine games in 2020, the entire 2021 season with an ankle injury and then saw just 13 total game appearances over the next two years.

Thomas’ inability to stay healthy on the field has left the cap-strapped Saints little choice but to move on with the new league year about to commence.

For his career, Thomas has 565 career receptions for 6,569 yards and 36 touchdowns. In seven postseason games, Thomas has 43 receptions for 566 yards and four touchdowns.