Michael Thomas just made QB-level money.
Well, sort of. Multiple reports say the New Orleans Saints will extend the star wideout’s contract to be worth $100 million with $61M of that guaranteed.
That first number stands out, because that will make Thomas the first non-quarterback offensive position player to hit the $100 million mark. The $61 million appears to be the second-most by a non-QB player with Odell Beckham Jr. making $65 million after signing with the Giants (who later traded him).
Of course, anytime we’re talking about NFL player contracts, that number doesn’t tell the tale. It’s the guaranteed money we all focus on, as we should, when comparing deals.
But still! That’s kind of huge.
Defenders like Khalil Mack and Von Miller have eclipsed that total value in their contracts with the Bears and Broncos respectively. So did Aaron Donald, Demarcus Lawrence and Frank Clark, and all five are super valuable because they hound $100 million quarterbacks.
This number for a wideout also seemed inevitable after Beckham Jr. signed a $90 million contract with the Giants.
There’s good reason for Thomas to be at the top — for now, because contracts continue to escalate in the NFL year to year — with stats like these:
