Michael Thomas Quietly Having a Nice Comeback for Saints

The Saints offense continues to struggle, but Michael Thomas has been silently having a good year after three injury-plagued seasons.

The NFL Comeback Player of the Year is an award that has been handed out since 1998 (after a hiatus since 1966). A New Orleans Saints player has won the honor just once. After missing the 1999 campaign with a knee injury, Saints Pro Bowl DE Joe Johnson rebounded with another Pro Bowl campaign in 2000 to take the award.

Johnson earned the honor with a career-best 12 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and five fumbles forced or recovered. Legendary QB Drew Brees also won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, but that was in 2004 while with the San Diego Chargers. 

New Orleans could have another player that adds their name to that list if they keep up their current level of play.

Michael Thomas, WR 

Oct 8, 2023; New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas (13) makes a catch while New England Patriots cornerback Jalen Mills (2) defends. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Thomas had a Hall of Fame start to his career after the Saints selected him in the second round of the 2016 draft out of Ohio State. The 47th overall pick and sixth receiver selected, Thomas instantly made every NFL team regret passing on him.

Over a four-year stretch from 2016 to 2019, Thomas averaged 116 catches for yards 1,378 yards and had 32 touchdowns. His 1,745 yards in 2019 led the NFL, broke his own franchise record (1,405 in 2018), and tied him with Marques Colston for the most consecutive 1,000-yard seasons (4) in franchise history. 

Thomas led the NFL in receptions twice, also setting a new team record each time. His 149 catches in 2019 set a new NFL single-season record, breaking a mark that had stood for 17 years. He won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in 2019, becoming just the second New Orleans player to take the honor. 

Outside of RB Alvin Kamara, the Saints had view viable receiving threats other than Thomas in 2018 and 2019. Despite defenses game-planning against him, he was still nearly unstoppable over his first four years.

In 68 games to start his career (including playoffs), Thomas had at least five catches 56 times, which included nine or more receptions in 24 games. He exceeded 100 yards receiving in 21 of those games, with 25 other outings of at least 70 yards.

A series of foot and ankle injuries caused Thomas to miss 40 of 50 regular season games between 2020 and 2022. Even when he did play, he was often physically hampered. It's still worth noting that a limited Michael Thomas still averaged nearly six catches and 61 yards in those 10 contests.

Most thought that Thomas, who turned 30 in March, would never be anything close to the same player. He agreed to restructure the remaining years on his contract last offseason amid rumors that the team might even release him.

No Doubting Thomas 

Oct 19, 2023; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) runs after a reception against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Against tempered expectations from many, Thomas has proven doubters wrong through the first part of 2023. He's been one of the most consistent performers on an otherwise dismal offense. 

Thomas has 34 catches for 371 yards and a score after seven games. He's second on the team in receiving yardage and third in catches. He had at least five receptions in the first three games and has no less than three catches in every contest this season. 

We have yet to see one of Thomas' signature dominant games--he has surpassed 60 yards just twice this year. This is also a product of an inept offense, the fact that he's been thrown to little in the second half of several games, and that the Saints offense has not targeted the middle of the field, where Thomas excels best.

Despite this, Thomas has arguably been the unit's most consistent performer. He's developed a chemistry with QB Derek Carr and gives 100% on every snap. At 6'3" and 212-Lbs. with outstanding route precision and sure hands, Thomas remains a matchup problem for defenders.

The reality is that Thomas will need to increase his statistical production to even be considered for Comeback Player of the Year. New Orleans will also need to have a winning season, which is an unfair truth about most postseason awards.

Thomas restructured his contract to become an incentive-laden deal for this season. It created additional salary cap space for the Saints, but voidable years added at the end of the contract could also allow Thomas to be a free agent at the end of the season. 

Sep 18, 2023; New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas (13) catches a pass as Carolina Panthers cornerback Donte Jackson (26) defends. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY

He may not win an award for it, but Michael Thomas has had a tremendous comeback campaign through the first half of 2023. He currently sits second in franchise history for receptions and fourth in receiving yardage.

New Orleans would be wise to get Thomas even more involved in the offense going forward. Thomas is still one of the NFL's best route runners. He adds a physical element to the passing game that nobody else on the roster can and consistently makes plays in heavy traffic to pick up key first downs. 

The New Orleans Saints have made a ton of mistakes over the last two years. Letting Michael Thomas leave via free agency would be one of their biggest blunders.