Will Sean Payton Reunite with Former Saints Star in Denver?
The Denver Broncos’ offseason plans are generating a lot of buzz as the 2024 NFL draft approaches. One of the top priorities for head coach Sean Payton will be resolving the team’s quarterback situation. However, Payton also needs to bolster his offense, which ranked 19th in the league with an average of 21 points per game. Could a reunion with former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas be the answer?
Brad Spielberger of PFF believes that a reunion with Payton is a logical move for Thomas in free agency. Spielberger notes that Denver’s offense is in need of a possession receiver who can excel on slants and out routes. Thomas fits that description perfectly.
Bringing Thomas to Denver would come at a reasonable cost for Payton and the Broncos. According to Spotrac, Thomas has a market value of $9.2 million if he is cut by the Saints this offseason. The three-time Pro Bowler is currently under contract for one more season but will be eligible for free agency in 2025.
Thomas has a stellar track record, especially during his time playing under Payton in New Orleans from 2016 to 2021. In his first four seasons, Thomas racked up an impressive 470 receptions for 5,512 yards and 32 touchdowns in 63 games. He led the league in receptions in 2018 and set an NFL record with 149 catches in 2019. Thomas was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2019 and earned First-team All-Pro honors in consecutive seasons.
However, injuries have plagued Thomas in recent years. Since the 2020 season, he has played in just 20 games due to ankle, foot, and knee problems. He missed the entire 2021 season due to lingering effects from an ankle injury. Thomas has not surpassed 1,000 yards receiving since 2019 and has blamed Saints quarterback Derek Carr for his lack of production in 2023.
Despite these setbacks, a reunion with Payton and a fresh start in Denver could be just what Thomas needs to revive his career. With Payton’s guidance and a renewed focus on his health, Thomas has the potential to become a key playmaker for the Broncos in the upcoming season.
Thomas finished the year with an impressive 39 receptions for 448 yards and one touchdown in just 10 games. However, his season came to a devastating end due to an injury. In a recent podcast appearance, Carr, the quarterback, took full responsibility for the incident, admitting that he may not have thrown the best ball. Despite Carr’s accountability, the question remains: will the organization tolerate Thomas publicly criticizing his teammate? This could potentially jeopardize Thomas’ future with the team. It will ultimately be up to Payton, the coach, to decide whether or not to bring Thomas back into the Broncos’ locker room for the upcoming season.