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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas was once viewed as one of the best pass-catchers in the NFL and an elite fantasy football option, but the veteran has suffered injuries in bunches over the last three seasons.
Before his injury issues in 2019, Thomas posted an NFL record 149 receptions for 1,725 yards, and nine touchdowns -- finishing as the WR1 in fantasy. However, the Sean Payton-Drew Brees era is long gone, and Thomas' tenure as a Saint could be coming to an end.
After playing in just 10 games in three seasons, will Thomas be released by New Orleans this offseason? Let's dive in.
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Michael Thomas 2022 Season Review
In three starts, Thomas caught 16 of his 22 targets for 171 yards and three touchdowns. He suffered a season-ending pedal toe dislocation in Week 3 and was placed on Injured Reserve ahead of Week 9.
Ultimately, the process of drafting Thomas in fantasy looked to be solid as he got off to a hot start, but once again, a lower-body ailment caused another lost season. No matter how good of a player Thomas is, he's certainly going to be on the chopping block given his recent availability.
Will Michael Thomas Be Released By The Saints?
Thomas agreed to a restructured contract a few weeks ago, having his base salary in 2023 reduced from $15.5 million to $1.165 million. However, the restructured deal added a $31.755 million roster bonus for the 2024 league year that becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2023 new league year (March 17). He also received a signing bonus of $902,941 this week.
It reinforces that any decision on Thomas' future with the team will be done expediently, as the Saints would be unlikely to move on from him if he remains on the roster once his massive roster bonus becomes guaranteed. However, if the Saints release him, they would take a $26 million dead cap hit, so it's a tricky situation to navigate.
Thomas has dealt with foot, hamstring, ankle, and toe injuries, so there's a chance he'll never completely ditch those ailments. However, there's a good chance a team will give him another shot at a reduced price, so it's worth monitoring where he could end up if he's out in New Orleans. He will carry plenty of risk moving forward, but his price in 2023 fantasy drafts should be as low as ever.
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