According to Ian Rapoport, National Insider for NFL.com, the New Orleans Saints have reached a massive deal for a contract extension for star wide receiver Michael Thomas.
Per Rapoport, the Saints and Thomas have agreed to a five-year, $100 million extension, which makes him the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history.
For the #Saints and WR Michael Thomas, his 5-year, $100M extension includes $61M in guarantees, sources say. And one of training camp’s holdouts is over.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 31, 2019
Michael Thomas Signs Massive Five-Year Extension With New Orleans Saints
An Extension Much Deserved
This is huge news for both Thomas and the Saints because the wideout has been holding out of training camp in an effort to perhaps put his hand on the scale of the contract negotiations. Thomas was previously on the final year of his contract and was due only $1,148,041 in base salary for 2019. That’s not unexpected for a rookie contract, but over the past few seasons, Thomas has proven to be one of the top wide receivers in the NFL.
Entering the NFL coming out of Ohio State as a second-round draft pick, Thomas has blown all expectations out of the water. He snagged nine touchdowns and 1,137 yards in his rookie season with the Saints – setting franchise rookie records for receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns – and the 2017 and 2018 season saw him make two consecutive Pro Bowls. He was also named a first-time All-Pro wide receiver after putting up 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018.
Thomas is undoubtedly one of the top wideouts in the game, which makes this contract extension a no-brainer for the Saints. He’s getting paid what he has earned over his first three years in the NFL.
Contract details
According to Rapoport’s reporting, the $100 million extension includes a whopping $61 million in guaranteed money. Thomas will be making an average salary of $20 million a year.
To put his new contract in perspective, Odell Beckham Jr. signed a five year, $90 million contract with the New York Giants before being traded to the Cleveland Browns. Antonio Brown, now with the Oakland Raiders, signed a three year, $50.125 million contract earlier this year.
