Saints Make Michael Thomas the Highest Paid Wide Receiver in the NFL

New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver Michael Thomas became the most expensive player in his position earlier today. As one of the best NFL insiders, Adam Schefter reported this Wednesday morning, the Saints and the 26-year old and the franchise reached an agreement about an extension.

Schefter revealed the news on his Tweeter account, adding that the deal now makes Thomas the highest-paid WR in the league. He also has the highest sum of guaranteed money for a non-quarterback.

“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,” Schefter stated.

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

The two sides reached an agreement following Thomas’ holdout. He didn’t want to report to the Saints’ camp, as he tried to improve the position before the extension talks. Even then, a sum of $20 million was allegedly the players’ goal, which in the end he received.

Schefter also tweeted that after recent developments, Thomas will end his holdout.

“Michael Thomas is ending his holdout and reporting to the Saints with a record five-year extension that makes him the NFL’s new highest-paid WR,” the journalist declared on his account.

Thomas was drafted in the second round of the 2016 draft, as the 47th overall pick, coming to the Saints from Ohio State. He quickly established himself as one of the essential parts of Sean Payton’s crew, and as one of the best receivers in the league.

It didn’t take to long for Drew Brees to make Thomas his favorite target on the field. In three season with the franchise from Louisiana, he played 47 games, had 321 receptions for 3,787 yards and recorded 23 touchdowns. In four playoff games, Thomas had excellent figures, averaging more than 100 yards in each, totaling up to 423 yards, and three TDs.

Michael Thomas is ending his holdout and reporting to the Saints with a record five-year extension that makes him the NFL’s new highest-paid WR, per league sources. He now is tied to New Orleans for the next six years, through the 2024 season.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2019

New Orleans’ no.13 exploded during the previous campaign, becoming one of the best players in the league. He set franchise records in catches -125, and yards – 1,405, all that for 9 TDs. While doing so, his catch rate was 84.5%, which is the best for any receiver in the past 18 years.

When looking at his statistics since he joined the league, Thomas is also impressive, despite his age. His 321 receptions are the highest among all the WRs, and the competition there is fierce. The reception percentage is also the best since 2016, 77%. There is another very important category in which Saints’ WR is dominant, and that is receiving 1st downs. Thomas collected 206 of them and is the second in the NFL during that span. Don’t forget that all these numbers were posted in his first three years among the professionals.

In the last year of his rookie deal, the player will earn $1.148 million. After the upcoming campaign ends, he will jump over the names such as Odell Beckham Jr., Julio Jones, AJ Green, Brandin Cooks, DeAndre Hopkins, and others.

Thomas is a two-time Pro Bowl player and a first-team All-Pro for the past season, as well as the NFL reception leader. But more important for the Saints, he might be the player whose quality will get them another Super Bowl title.