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The relationship between All-Pro wide receiver Michael Thomas and his New Orleans Saints is not going too swimmingly right now.
Thomas, 28, underwent surgery to repair ligaments in his ankle back in June, which didn’t sit too well with Saints head coach Sean Payton. Meanwhile, a recent report from team insider Jeff Duncan indicates that Thomas has cut off communication with the Saints.
All of this comes following a drama-filled 2020 campaign in which Thomas suited up in just seven games and found himself suspended by the Saints after getting in a fight with teammate Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.
It has led to rumors that the history-making wide receiver could very well be dealt two years after signing a massive contract extension with the Saints.
If so, numerous teams would come calling. The former Ohio State standout recorded a combined 274 receptions for 3,140 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2018 and 2019. He didn’t lose that type of ability overnight. Below, we look at five teams who could make the most sense in a Michael Thomas trade.
New York Jets pull off blockbuster Michael Thomas trade
The struggles we’ve seen from rookie No. 2 pick Zach Wilson during training camp might force the Jets’ hands here. The quarterback will start Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. Getting him some more help has to be seen as a big goal for general manager Joe Douglas.
Click here for New York Jets 2021 preview and predictions
Right now, New York is slated to rely on free-agent signing Corey Davis and veteran Jamison Crowder to be Wilson’s top targets. Impressive rookie Elijah Moore is also part of the equation. Acquiring Thomas for an early-round pick in 2022 as well as former Pro Bowl linebacker C.J. Mosley could make sense for both the Jets and Saints. For what it’s worth, New York also has a league-high $25.97 million in cap room.
Michael Thomas trade to the Jacksonville Jaguars
Recent reports indicate that the Jaguars are looking to move off 2020 top-10 pick, cornerback C.J. Henderson. If that is indeed the case, New Orleans makes sense in a trade including Thomas.
The Saints have been in the market for a starter-caliber corner to team up with Marshon Lattimore. Another more-recent report tells us a story about a potential Thomas for Lattimore swap. New Jags head coach Urban Meyer worked with Thomas at Ohio State. It’s also reasonable to believe that getting rookie No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence another elite-level target should be in the cards in Duval. This almost makes too much sense.
Miami Dolphins add Michael Thomas
Miami picked up Will Fuller and rookie Jaylen Waddle this past offseason. The goal here is to provide young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa more weapons after a questionable rookie season. The Fins are going all in when it comes to the Alabama product. Putting him in position to succeed as a sophomore has to be the paramount goal for general manager Chris Grier.
As for a potential trade with New Orleans, All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard was recently mired in a contract stalemate with Miami. While things have been resolved in that regard over the short term, there’s no telling whether Howard will be in South Beach long-term after leading the NFL with 10 interceptions last season. He’d be a tremendous fit with Lattimore in the Bayou.
Green Bay Packers do Aaron Rogers a solid
To say that things between Aaron Rodgers and his Packers have not gone too swimmingly would be an understatement. Sure the two sides came to a short-term agreement. But the reigning NFL MVP can ask out following the 2021 season. What better way for Green Bay to appease Rodgers by adding Michael Thomas to the mix?
Are the Green Bay Packers legit Super Bowl contenders? Find out here
From an on-field standpoint, Thomas and Davante Adams would form the best wide receiver pairing in the NFL. They’d also make Green Bay a legit Super Bowl contender. Perhaps, offering up cornerbacksJosh Jackson or Kevin King as well as a first-round pick in 2022 could be in the cards here.
Michael Thomas trade to the Arizona Cardinals
New Orleans might be looking for a cornerback. But I am pretty darn sure that the team wouldn’t mind adding an elite pass rusher in Chandler Jones to team up with Cameron Jordan. Jones is on the trade block. And in reality, that pairing would make for a tremendous front seven in the Bayou.
Arizona Cardinals 2021 team preview and predictions
As for the Cardinals, they were linked to Julio Jones in trade talks with the Atlanta Falcons before he was dealt to the Tennessee Titans. They are doing everything possible to provide Kyler Murray with the weapons he needs to take that next step as a third-year player. Adding Thomas to the mix at the cost of Jones and an early-round pick in 2022 could make sense for Arizona. The idea of Thomas teaming up with DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green in the desert also has to be seen as appealing.