Take a look at the list of former New Orleans Saints players still searching for a new team in 2024 and one name stand apart from the rest: Michael Thomas. The former NFL Offensive Player of the Year and two-time All-Pro fell off hard after a series of complicated injuries and frustrating surgeries interrupted what looked like a Hall of Fame-worthy career.
And now, months after a high-profile split with the only NFL team he’s played for, Thomas is still waiting for his next opportunity. There isn’t another free agent with his credentials, but that injury history and public criticism of his coach, quarterback, and team training staff may have cooled interest he’d otherwise find on the open market.
Thomas is 31. He’s coming off another season-ending injury which he chalks up to a bad ball from Derek Carr. He’s only been available for 13 of the Saints’ 51 games since the 2020 season, when his ankle was painfully rolled up on while blocking in a blowout win, which started this whole mess. Thomas played through the injury to support Drew Brees in his last year before retirement, but he missed the entire 2021 season recovering from surgery. He went down with another injury three games into 2022, and was sidelined for the last seven games of 2023.
There aren’t many cases like his, but one situation to consider is Odell Beckham Jr. Like Thomas, he’s 31 years old and a three-time Pro Bowler, with a pair of All-Pro nods and an Offensive Rookie of the Year award to his name. He’s also caught 566 passes in his career compared to 565 for Thomas, though in 27 more games for four different teams. And Beckham has twice suffered serious knee injuries by tearing his ACL.
The second time happened in Super Bowl LVI, causing him to miss the subsequent 2022 season in recovery. Beckham didn’t sign with a team until well after the start of free agency in 2023, meeting with the Baltimore Ravens at NFL owners meetings in the spring, and he turned in a modest performance last season with 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns. Compare that to what Thomas posted with the Saints — 39 receptions, 448 yards, and a single touchdown. Beckham went on to sign with the Miami Dolphins this offseason.
So does this mean Thomas may have to sit out the 2024 season before finding a new team, like Beckham did? Probably not. We don’t know how far along he is in recovery from last year’s injury but it was never expected to put him on ice for multiple seasons. But we may not see any movement until training camp. If there aren’t many suitors, or if Thomas is being selective about his next opportunity, it could take a while for him to find the right fit.
Either way, it’s so disappointing to see his career end up here. Thomas was on track to break every receiving record in Saints history while leaving his mark on NFL history. That injuries and personal conflicts have derailed what should have been something special. Time will tell where Thomas catches his next football. It’s just too bad it won’t happen while he’s wearing black and gold.
