BREAKING: New Orleans Saints All-Pro Michael Thomas Unleashes On Longtime Reporter, His Agent Clarifies Current Contract
To say All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas has had an adversarial relationship with longtime New Orleans Saints columnist Jeff Duncan is a mild statement.
On Thursday morning, Duncan reported that the organization "will soon release Michael Thomas" and "it shouldn't have ended this way." His column definitively stated, "Michael Thomas has played his last game for the New Orleans Saints."
Thomas took exception and responded with derogatory social media postings directed at Duncan - which isn't the first clash between the player and reporter.
Sep 18, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) warms up before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
"Jeff Duncan funny how they [are] planning on releasing me if I was on a 1-year deal," Thomas tweeted. "Don't fall for it he the same dude that tried to be my friend in season after saying I wasn't the same player in training camp."
Michael Thomas' agent commented about the contract with Fox 8 sports reporter Sean Fazende, "It is a 1-Year Deal and always has been, that is 100% how it is structured, and this is no two ways about that. He will be an Unrestricted Free Agent on March 13th like everyone else."
According to ESPN's Katherine Terrell, should Thomas remain on the New Orleans roster, "on the third day of the 2024 league year, $119M in bonuses will guarantee and the 2024 year does not automatically void."
In essence, New Orleans would be in a difficult situation to retain Thomas on his current contract, especially as they're attempting to whittle down the salary cap before free agency starts on March 13.
Thomas continued by posting: "Jeff Duncan is a (unpublishable word). Trying to stay relevant, so let's speak on it. The Saints leak information to him to try to ruin players' value but see I'm not broke so I can speak on it. He is broke so he need clicks. Go look at all his articles that never end up being true."
Duncan has yet to reply to Thomas' social media diatribe.
Would New Orleans restructure Thomas' contract to keep him on the team? We shall see.
