Former Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas is now the highest-paid wide receiver in the NFL.
After a brief holdout to begin training camp as he enters his fourth season in the NFL, Thomas agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract extension with the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday morning, according to reports by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Per their reports, Thomas' new contract includes $61 million in new guaranteed money, the most ever for an offensive player that's not a quarterback.
The #Saints & star WR Michael Thomas have reached a blockbuster, 5 yr $100M extension. This contract makes Thomas the highest paid WR in NFL History. Hes also the first non-QB offensive player to sign a $100M contract. Agents @DavidMulugheta & Andrew Kessler negotiated the deal.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 31, 2019
The record breaking $100M deal that WR Michael Thomas & the Saints have agreed to includes $61M in New Guaranteed Money, which is the most in NFL history for a Non-QB offensive player. This massive extension was negotiated by @DavidMulugheta and Andrew Kessler of Athletes First.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 31, 2019
With the new contract, Thomas becomes the first wide receiver in the NFL to make $20 million per year, and he is now under contract with the Saints for the next six seasons.
Championship Mode! Its a Marathon so get your breathing right #WhoDat pic.twitter.com/BaSoWvsCg7
— Michael Thomas (@Cantguardmike) July 31, 2019
In his first three years with the Saints, Thomas has caught 321 passes – the most ever by any player in his first three NFL seasons – for 3,787 yards and 23 touchdowns and has established himself as one of the league's elite playmakers. He was named by his peers around the league as the NFL's 13th-best player entering the 2019 season, as revealed by NFL Network on Tuesday night.