Veterans reported to training camp for the New Orleans Saints on Thursday, but Michael Thomas was not among them as expected. The star wide receiver is still seeking a new contract, and he wants more money than any player at his position has ever gotten.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported on Friday that Thomas and the Saints are not particularly close to a long-term deal, with Thomas seeking a contract that will pay him $20 million annually.
From Inside Training Camp: #Saints WR Michael Thomas is officially a holdout barring a new deal, as the $20M per year mark is the one all WRs set their eyes on. pic.twitter.com/gwkp8cZtKa
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 26, 2019
Odell Beckham Jr. is currently the highest-paid receiver in football in terms of annual salary at $18 million per year. There have been indications that the Saints are willing to make Thomas the top-paid receiver in the NFL, but perhaps Thomas is too hung up on that $20 million number.
Thomas is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Saints do not hold a fifth-year option on the deal since he was drafted in the second round. The 26-year-old caught a whopping 125 passes for 1,405 yards and nine touchdowns last season, so he can certainly make the case that he is currently the most valuable receiver in football. However, it’s possible that the Saints are willing to make him No. 1 at the position but not go all the way up to $20 million.
