Michael Thomas Signs Record-Setting Contract With Saints
By Mark Powell
After weeks of negotiations, Michael Thomas is finally getting the contract he wants from the New Orleans Saints.
There's no denying how influential Thomas is for this offense, and even with the inarguable fact that he's lucky enough to have one of the best quarterbacks of all-time in Drew Brees throwing him the ball, he's definitely earned the right to be the highest-paid wideout in football, and the first non-QB to receive a $100 million deal.
The record breaking $100M deal that WR Michael Thomas & the Saints have agreed to includes $61M in New Guaranteed Money, which is the most in NFL history for a Non-QB offensive player. This massive extension was negotiated by @DavidMulugheta and Andrew Kessler of Athletes First.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2019
After a brief holdout while his contract was finalized, Thomas is now expected to return to camp as the Saints start their mission towards Super Bowl glory.
For the #Saints and WR Michael Thomas, his 5-year, $100M extension includes $61M in guarantees, sources say. And one of training camp’s holdouts is over.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 31, 2019
The $61 million in guarantees was also a big sell for Thomas, who is still just 26 years of age. In his 3-year career in New Orleans, he's accumulated 321 catches for 3,787 yards and 23 touchdowns.
Thomas, formerly of Ohio State, was drafted in the second round and passed over 46 times. This, in itself, is a crime against football.
Thomas' contract also sets the market for several other high-profile wideouts, including the likes of Amari Cooper and Julio Jones, both of whom are seeking long-term extensions.