Michael Thomas ranks among one of the best players in the NFL, being a very dominant wide receiver in his early days. His recent years have been derailed due to injuries and absences from games. He was so good at one point that his nickname was given, “Can’t Guard Mike”.
No longer in his glory days, it looks like the player is edging closer to retirement. And it seems like that decision could be quicker than expected.
Michael Thomas retirement appears likely
Reports are suggesting that Thomas is increasingly expected to retire from the NFL as training camps begin next month in July 2026. He was released by the New Orleans Saints on March 13, 2024, as a post-June 1 designation. He missed the entire 2024 and 2025 NFL seasons ever since he was released. Since then, he has been an unsigned free agent looking for a franchise to take a chance with him.
Feb 7, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; New Orleans Saints receiver Michael Thomas speaks at the NFLPA Press Conference at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center prior to Super Bowl LVIII. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Drafted in the second round by the Saints in 2016, he has spent his entire career with them and never moved to another team. At one point, he was the best wide receiver in the league, but those days are long gone. Injuries and declined playing performance caused his stock to plummet, and led to his release.
His last playing appearance came in 2023, and he has been in decline ever since. Ahead of the 2026 NFL season, there has been no reported interest from any of the 32 NFL teams for the player. With training camps approaching, he could be left without a franchise for another season. He needs to sign for a team either before or during the training camps.
There has been no statement from either Thomas or anyone from his camp regarding retirement. However, as he approaches another season, with huge chances of missing a third consecutive season, there is much consensus that he could finally take the decision to retire. With injuries and being 33-years-old, it could be time for him to make the formal decision.
Michael Thomas among those who convinced Cameron Jordan to stay
Defensive end Cameron Jordan recently decided to stay with the Saints. Despite being in free agency, he made the decision to return to the franchise he has stayed with all his career. He revealed that some past players were responsible for convincing him to stay with the Saints.
He said that among those players, Thomas was one of them. He said, “I talk to Sheldon Rankins, David Onyemata still. Akiem Hicks chimes in every now and again. I even talk to Mike Thomas, I mean, I’ve got a resounding message, nobody was like, ‘Hey, go check out a different team’, I talked to Drew. Drew was like, ‘Hey, man, black and gold bleed forever.’ And I was like, ‘Can anybody have a different opinion?”
Michael Thomas could be expected to finally make the decision to retire ahead of the 2026 NFL season.
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