Saints, Michael Thomas agree on 5-year contract extension worth $100 million

The holdout is over for Michael Thomas. The New Orleans Saints wide receiver has been locked up to a 5-year, $100 million contract extension with $61 million in guaranteed money, according to Wednesday morning reports by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter. “Can’t Guard Mike” is now the receiver’s highest-paid wide receiver in today’s game.

The Ohio State product was missing from the first several sessions of training camp due to the contract holdout, and both Mickey Loomis and Sean Payton remained very optimistic on getting a deal done with Thomas. Thomas was entering the final year of his rookie deal, and had plenty of accolades to boast of regarding his first three seasons in the NFL. He hauled in the most receptions of any player in the game throughout their first three seasons, surpassing the record previously held by Odell Beckham Jr.

The contract details will be interesting to see, as Thomas just turned 26 and will be locked up through the 2024 NFL season. Julio Jones and Amari Cooper have some bargaining chips on their side.