New Orleans Saints Make Michael Thomas NFL’s Highest Paid Wide Receiver

New Orleans Saints wideout Michael Thomas‘s Twitter handle reads “getpaidmike.” After inking a $100 million, five-year extension Wednesday morning, Thomas and the Saints certainly fulfilled his social nickname driven wishes.

Thomas, who lead the league with 125 receptions last year, helped fuel the a well-oiled Saints team which fell just one uncalled pass–interference call short of a Super Bowl berth. Since entering the league as a rookie three years ago, Thomas quickly established a connection with future Hall of Fame and Super Bowl MVP quarterback Drew Brees. Now with Thomas’s locked in until 2024, the team can maintain their aspirations to reach similar and even greater heights than last season for years to come.

This deal not only poises to effect the Saints, but the wide receiver market entirely, as the deal sets the new standard paycheck for top tier pass catchers. The $20 million which the Saints annually guarantee to Thomas now tops the former record breaking deal drawn up for Odell Beckham Jr. last summer, which pays him $18 million each year. This now serves as a benchmark for other star wide receivers searching for a new deal, such as Atlanta Falcons wideout Julio Jones.

This deal continues the seemingly never ending escalation trend which sweeps up NFL players and their salaries, as each year players sign more expensive deals, breaking short lived yet eyebrow raising records. Thomas now stands as the highest paid player outside the quarterback position in NFL history. However, this title’s expiration date approaches quickly, as new free agents searching deals, most notably Jones but also other big names such as Amari Cooper, await their own paydays.

Article by Collin Helwig