2021 will really show the impact of Michael Thomas
This past season was a rough one for the 2019 Offensive Player of the Year Michael Thomas.
Not only was he hurt for the most part of it, but the games he did play were mainly without Drew Brees. Thomas managed to play just seven games but was active and in on each of the four times Brees was sidelined.
The New Orleans Saints will need a big-time season from superstar receiver Michael Thomas as 2021 will truly show his worth to the franchise.
While the positive surrounding Jameis Winston‘s takeover of the Saints is that Michael Thomas will get a quarterback that can deliver a deep ball, he’ll no longer have one of the most accurate quarterbacks in NFL history throwing him the ball.
Thomas is going to need to gain more separation and make even more difficult catches. Winston should be able to get him in the ball in space, but Thomas may not get those pinpoint passes almost every time he sees the ball come his way.
Even though it wasn’t necessarily his fault and his season was derailed due to injury, Thomas went from a historic season to a forgettable one. He had two 100-yard games after averaging over 107 yards per game in 2019.
Thomas should enter the new season fully healthy. Looking at his numbers, it’s easy to condem Thomas’ season. But, half of understanding the impact and leadership of a player is going beyond just how he does on a weekly basis.
Thomas did his best to give his team a chance to win, and everyone knew that meant he needed to be on the field. For the three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, that oftentimes meant that he played sub 100 percent.
Michael Thomas often wouldn’t practice all week, yet would still play in games, at much less than 100%, and with pain medication. The coaches told him even as injured as he was, they were much better off with him than without him. But now will need surgery. https://t.co/9YdSgVVbRW
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2021
Thomas won’t have a future first-ballot Hall of Fame quarterback with him this upcoming season. While it’s tough to say that’s where a good part of his success has come from, it certainly hasn’t hurt.
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Now, with Winston captaining the offense, Thomas will have to rebuild that chemistry and refine his game to fit the style of his new quarterback. Thomas needs to have a breakout season in 2021 or else the Saints could be in for a load of pain.