Michael Thomas has played his last game for the New Orleans Saints.
The former All-Pro receiver is expected to be released at the start of the 2024 league year, which begins next week on March 13, Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com reports.
It’s not a matter of if the Saints move on, but when, according to multiple sources.
The final catch of Thomas’ Saints career came on the Saints’ second play from scrimmage in a Week 10 loss on Nov. 12 at Minnesota. He corralled a short pass from Derek Carr on a slant pattern, his trademark route, and was submarined immediately by a pair of Vikings defenders. Despite the violent contact, Thomas still managed to snatch the ball and complete the 9-yard play. He left the field after the tackle and did not play another down last season.
After signing a landmark five-year, $96 million contract extension in 2019, he set an NFL record with 149 receptions for a league-high and club-record 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns, while earning the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, becoming just the second Saint in club history to earn the prestigious honor.
By 2020, Thomas had amassed 510 receptions for 5,950 yards and 32 touchdowns, the most receptions by a player in NFL history in his first five seasons, reaching the 500-catch milestone in an NFL-record 69 games.
His career was on a Hall of Fame trajectory. His receiving numbers were unprecedented. His popularity exploded among fans, who loved his competitive zeal and unwavering confidence. No. 13 jerseys dotted the Superdome crowds at Saints home games.
Then it all came unraveled.
A series of injuries to his ankle, foot and knee sidelined him for all or parts of the next four seasons. Complications from surgical procedures along the way exacerbated the problems.
He missed 47 of 67 games over the next four seasons, limiting his total production to just 95 catches for 1,057 yards and four touchdowns.
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