After having reworked his contract, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas looks like he could be on his way out this offseason. That’s a disappointing end to what was an exhilarating opening to the 2022 season in which Thomas played a large role in the Saints mounting their largest come-from-behind victory in franchise history against the Atlanta Falcons. But unfortunately, injuries have continued to mount up for the two-time All-Pro keeping him off the field for the better part of the last three seasons.
When healthy, Thomas is one of the most dominant talents at wideout in the league. He became the first pass-catcher in Saints history to bring in 100 or more receptions in a single season back in 2017 and would then go on to cross the century mark the two seasons following. And famously, in of those seasons (2019) he broke the NFL single-season receptions record with 149. However, since then Thomas has appeared in just 10 games totaling 56 catches for 609 receiving yards. He also has 3 touchdown receptions during that time, but all of them took place in his trio of 2022 games.
If this is it for Thomas, he’ll be remembered as a great Saints player, one of the best receivers to don the black and gold. Even though his injury history may distract from that point here and there. To illustrate just how good Thomas has been for New Orleans despite his relatively short time with the team, here is where he ranks amongst some of the best Saints receivers of all-time:
Receptions
- Marques Colston – 711
- Eric Martin – 532
- Michael Thomas – 526
- Joe Horn – 523
Receiving Yards
- Marques Colston – 9,759
- Eric Martin – 7,854
- Joe Horn – 7,622
- Michael Thomas – 6,121
Receiving touchdowns
- Marques Colston – 72
- Joe Horn – 50
- Eric Martin – 48
- Lance Moore – 38
Thomas ranks No. 6 with 35 touchdown receptions, two shy of Danny Abramowicz’s 37.
First-Team All-Pro Selections
- Michael Thomas – 2 (2018, 2019)
- Deonte Harty (RS) – 1 (2019)
- Michael Lewis (RS) – 1 (2002)
Pro Bowl Selections
- Joe Horn – 4 (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004)
- Michael Thomas – 3 (2017, 2018, 2019)
- Eric Martin – 1 (1988)
- Wes Chandler – 1 (1979)
Deonte Harty (2019) and Michael Lewis (2002) both made one Pro Bowl, each as return specialists.
Super Bowl Wins
Marques Colston, Deverey Henderson, Lance Moore, Robert Meachum and Courtney Roby were the wideouts on the Saints 2009 Super Bowl-winning roster. Thomas would depart New Orleans with no Super Bowl appearance nor win.
Major End of Year Awards
Though he may not see a Super Bowl in his time with the Saints, Thomas is the only wide receiver to win a major end of year award. His 2019 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award is the only such award won by his position in Saints history. In fact, he and quarterback Drew Brees are the only two players to win the award in the franchise’s history. Brees won it three times: 2008, 2009, and 2011.
