The 2024 NFL free agency cycle is just around the corner, starting on March 13 when the new league year begins. Additionally, the legal tampering period begins two days before that, allowing teams to speak to impending free agents and their agents.
While there are plenty of players with expiring contracts, they aren’t the only players who will be available for teams to look into. There will also be players that get cut to free up cap space for their soon-to-be former teams. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas could be among those players. Where could he go?
Michael Thomas Free Agency Landing Spots
At 31 years old, Thomas is entering the last year of his deal, meaning he will be a free agent in 2025. He’s set to make a base salary of $1.2 million but holds a major cap hit of $12.4 million. However, the deal he signed before the 2023 season was effectively a one-year deal, leaving him likely to be released within the next week.
According to Pro Football Talk, Thomas will likely get released on the first day of the league year and can then sign with any other team.
Thomas was a second-round pick in 2016 by the Saints and has since made his name very well known. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time first-team All-Pro. He’s caught 565 passes for 6,569 yards and 36 touchdowns. However, he’s not played a full season since 2019 due to injuries.
Jaguars Pair Thomas With Trevor Lawrence
The Jacksonville Jaguars are one team that could surprise some people and bring Thomas in. The team’s leading receiver, Calvin Ridley, is an impending free agent, and they are in a position where they’ll need to bring in another WR regardless.
Additionally, slot receiver Christian Kirk is coming off of a season-ending injury in 2023, and the team’s third wideout, Zay Jones, is a candidate to be a cap casualty, although he could still end up on the team in 2024.
Thomas only played in 10 games in 2023, but one of them was against the Jaguars. He caught three passes for 42 yards and one touchdown. Jacksonville could use Thomas’ size on the outside, at 6’3″, 212 pounds.
Giants Get Much-Needed Receiver Help
The New York Giants have been up-and-down in recent years but struggled heavily in 2023. One of the biggest reasons was their struggles on the offensive side of the ball, especially at wide receiver.
The Giants are set to lose Parris Campbell, Sterling Shepard, and Gunner Olszewski to free agency. This will leave the team with just Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson, Jalin Hyatt, and Isaiah Hodgins in competition for starting spots. Thomas would likely come in and start Day 1 if he’s healthy.
Thomas Adds Veteran Presence to Patriots
The New England Patriots have undergone a massive change in recent years, ultimately ending the Bill Belichick era just after the 2023 season. Now, with Jerod Mayo at the helm, the Patriots are undergoing a full-on rebuild.
While they aren’t ready to win now, Thomas could slot in as a likely starter and add a much-needed veteran presence to the Patriots receiving group.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Cut Tracker
With Kendrick Bourne, Tre Nixon, and Jalen Reagor all impending free agents, the Patriots are left with DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and a lot of unproven talents.
Thomas’ addition would be key for any rookie quarterback to throw to and develop as a rookie.
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