The Saints are expected to sign former All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas to a one year incentive-based deal. The new deal avoids the over 60 million dollars Thomas would have been guaranteed had he played just 4 games in 2023 and allows Thomas to return to New Orleans now with new quarterback Derek Carr. Saints analyst Ross Jackson said it’s a good deal for both sides.
“It kind of gives him an opportunity to have a prove-it season and for the New Orleans Saints to benefit from that with a new signal caller in the building.”
Thomas won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award after a record-setting 2019 season but has played in only three games since then. The deal will allow Thomas to return to an offensive scheme he’s thrived in and an opportunity to earn $15 million with incentives. Luke Johnson of The Advocate said that the deal protects the Saints and will be more than worth it if even a fraction of the old Michael Thomas returns.
“If you got something even close to that, even if you got even 80% of that, you’re getting an elite playmaker at a fraction of the cost.”
The Saints have also re-signed quarterback Jameis Winston to a one-year contract in an effort to free up more cap space. The move comes as a surprise for some as Winston is not expected to compete for the starting spot, but many teams with availability are expected to address the position in the draft or elsewhere. Winston chose to return to a familiar system in what Jackson said was a great move for the Saints.
“[the deal] puts them in a situation to where there’s a guy that’s familiar with the system, that has a great rapport with the players in the locker room, and gives them some short-term salary cap relief.”
As free agency kicks off and New Orleans fights yet again to get under the cap, they’ve had to watch many young talents find contracts elsewhere. Most notably defensive lineman Marcus Davenport, David Onyemata, and Shy Tuttle have all left for division opponents. After recent moves the Saints are only a few million under the salary cap, but with more cap saving opportunities and how the front office structures their deals, Johnson said the Saints will still be active in free agency.
“They don’t need a ton of room just based off the way they structure contracts to sign somebody and fit him in there.”
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