Saints’ Michael Thomas Sets NFL Record That Jerry Rice Never Did
Since entering the NFL, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has separated himself as one of the top players in the league. Thomas has put forth elite production that has continued to rack up numerous NFL records along the way. In Week 11 action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he added another impressive feat that not even Hall of Famer Jerry Rice was able to accomplish in his illustrious career.
Michael Thomas has been a statistical giant
Throughout his first three-plus seasons with the Saints, Thomas has quickly emerged as one of the most productive players in the league.
The Ohio State product has become the fourth player in NFL history to notch four straight 1,000 receiving yard campaigns while topping more than 90 receptions in each of those campaigns. Thomas has been the Saints’ most dependable receiving option behind his strong connection with star quarterback Drew Brees as the unquestioned top receiving option.
His production on the field has more than earned the lucrative five-year, $100 million extension that he signed back in late July. Since the 2016 season, there hasn’t been a more productive wide receiver in the league. Thomas added to that reputation by tacking on another impressive career feat that has never been reached in NFL history.
Michael Thomas adds another mind-blowing feat
The 2019 campaign has been much the same for Thomas’ production as he hasn’t skipped a beat even after Brees missed a lengthy period due to a thumb injury.
In fact, his performance on the field has only risen to yet another level as he has tallied another historic record by becoming the first player to record 90 catches through the first 10 games of a season.
Thomas has already set the NFL mark for being the fastest to reach 400 career catches in 56 career regular-season games and holds the all-time mark for most receptions in his first four years. He has been on a career-best pace in 2019 as he has now notched six 100 receiving yard performances, garnering at least five catches in each contest.
Before Week 11 action, Thomas was on a trajectory to record 153 catches, which would blow past Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison’s NFL single-season mark of 143 receptions. If he continues on this pace, there is no reason to believe he won’t be in contention to pass that all-time mark to add to what’s already been a beyond stellar start to his NFL career.
Michael Thomas strengthening case as best wide receiver
When the conversation discusses the game’s best talents at the wide receiver position, Thomas has engrained himself as one of the first names on the list.
Thomas has been, without a doubt, the most productive wide receiver in the NFL over the last three-plus seasons that has seen him put more significant numbers than the likes of Julio Jones, Odell Beckham Jr., and DeAndre Hopkins. The only other player with greater sustained play has been Antonio Brown, but he has been unable to add to that this season due to his off-the-field issues.
More than anything else, the high level of production from Thomas should not only give him recognition as possibly the best wideout in the game, but also some consideration in the MVP talk. There has yet to be any player from that position to earn that prestigious award, but if he stays at that pace, it’s hard to deny him being in the thick of that race.
With six more games left to play in the 2019 regular season, Thomas has a chance to add to his already impressive resume while further cementing his status as arguably the best wide receiver in the game.
