The legend of Michael Thomas just keeps growing. You can’t guard him. The Los Angeles Chargers secondary couldn’t even foul him in Thursday’s joint practices. He’s set the NFL record for most catches through the first two years of his pro career, and is still on a rookie contract until spring 2020.
The independent consultants at Optimum Scouting have run the numbers and come up with a big projected extension to Thomas’s rookie deal: 5 years, $85-million with $55-million guaranteed. That averages out to $17-million per year with 64.7-percent guaranteed. Take a deep breath.
The Saints don’t have a history of paying skills position players, except for Jimmy Graham.