New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas (13) Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Saints WR blasts NFL columnist who broke the news of his release

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/8/24

Nola.com NFL columnist Jeff Duncan broke the news on Thursday that the New Orleans Saints were parting ways with receiver Michael Thomas, which drew the ire of the two-time All-Pro wideout.

Thomas seemingly disapproved of how Duncan framed his story, painting the 31-year-old former first-round pick as a villain who self-destructed throughout the last few seasons. In response, Thomas took to X to slam the longtime scribe for trying to ruin his reputation.

Michael Thomas took to X to slam Jeff Duncan.

“Along the way, Thomas irked team officials with his frequently candid social media posts,” Duncan wrote in his column. “Meanwhile, behind closed doors, he gained a reputation at the Saints facility as a moody and at times difficult personality. … Whether Thomas knew it or not at the time, he effectively punched his ticket out of New Orleans [when he threw QB Derek Carr under the bus in Week 13]. His Saints career was over. The only variable was time.”

Thomas ruffled some feathers in the Saints organization in late January when he once again attacked Carr. He blamed the 32-year-old QB for cutting his 2023 season short because of a season-ending knee injury he suffered in the first quarter of New Orleans’ 27-19 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 10 — a play that Thomas claims wouldn’t have happened if Carr threw him a better ball.

During the play in question, Carr hit Thomas for what would have been a minimal gain, but Vikings defensive back Akayleb Evans knocked loose the ball before he had complete control. Thomas jumped in the air to grab the ball, and as he came down, he landed awkwardly on his right knee.

Thomas’ complicated injury history (he’s missed 47 games over the last four years) is likely another reason the Saints cut bait with him.

More must-reads: