Michael Thomas is set to hit free agency as the New Orleans Saints cut him on Wednesday with a post-June 1 designation to free up salary cap space down the line. With Thomas now having the opportunity to play outside of New Orleans for the first time in his career, where might the veteran wide receiver end up signing?
Michael Thomas Free Agency Landing Spots
News emerged on Wednesday that Thomas was released and will be designated as a post-June 1 cut by the Saints, per multiple reports. More clarification came shortly after that Thomas was also released with a failed physical designation, according to Saints beat reporter Matthew Paras.
Thomas suffered a season-ending knee injury in New Orleans’ Week 10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings and has been sidelined since, an ailment he is evidently still recovering from judging by the failed physical designation.
Injuries have been a problem for Thomas in recent years as he played just seven games in 2020, including five starts, missed all of the 2021 season, made just three appearances in 2022 (all starts), and played 10 games last year before the season-ending injury. Thomas’ most recent issue paired with his history could certainly detract from his value in free agency.
Still, the veteran wide receiver does have a track record of success before his injury issues. Thomas posted four straight seasons with 1,000+ receiving yards to begin his career and was the league’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 after catching 149 passes for 1,725 yards and nine touchdowns.
While he has not shown a potential to return to that form, Thomas remained a solidly productive receiver before the injury last year and certainly still holds value that will garner suitors around the league.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have been attached to Thomas in rumors across recent weeks as his future looked poised to end in New Orleans, and that buzz has only intensified with news of his release coming out.
Thomas could be a quality veteran add for a Baltimore wide receivers room that has some young talent in Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman but could use bolstering. If Thomas is able to get healthy, he could be both a dependable target for Lamar Jackson and a valuable veteran voice to help mentor the younger players in the room.
This seems like an ideal fit for both sides, assuming they can come to terms financially, as the Ravens aim to improve from their tough end to 2023 and make a run at winning the Super Bowl.
Denver Broncos
Reuniting with longtime Saints coach Sean Payton could also make sense for both Thomas and the Broncos.
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Thomas would get an opportunity to rebound from his injuries in a new place with a coach he has a longstanding relationship with, while Denver would add an instant upgrade to its wide receiver room and a key weapon for whoever is playing quarterback in 2024. That could be especially valuable for a young QB if the Broncos go after one in the NFL Draft, as expected.
New York Giants
The Giants are in desperate need of help at wide receiver amid long-running struggles at the position and might be able to find some relief in Thomas. The injury history could certainly steer New York toward other options, but Thomas’ upside if he is able to return to good health might be too enticing for the franchise to pass up providing its quarterback with a quality weapon.
It’s unclear whether there would be interest from either or both sides in making this partnership happen, but Thomas could certainly help fill a glaring need for the Giants.
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