NFL: Saints WR Michael Thomas Inks $100 Million Extension

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas has agreed to a contract extension reportedly worth $100 million, several media outlets reported Wednesday. The deal reportedly includes $61 million and would make the Ohio State product the highest-paid receiver in the NFL. The extension ensures Thomas will be with the Saints through the 2024 season.

Thomas, 26, was set to make $1.148 million this season in the final year of his rookie contract. He did not report for the start of Saints training camp as he sought a new deal. The wideout was among several high-profile players who have held out in hopes of leveraging a higher-paying, long-term deal from their teams. Others include running backs Ezekiel Elliott of the Dallas Cowboys and Melvin Gordon of the Los Angeles Chargers.

But the New Orleans receiver appears to be the first to get his way, and his extension could set off a chain reaction as it possibly sets a new standard for other receivers who are similarly seeking new deals.

Tyreek Hill of the Chiefs, Julio Jones of the Falcons, Amari Cooper of the Raiders and A.J. Green of the Bengals are other wideouts pursuing new contracts. They might be more likely to sign now, using Thomas' contract as leverage for their own demands.

Thomas has 321 catches in his first three seasons, by far the most in NFL history for a player during a three-year span. Last season, Thomas set franchise records with 125 catches and 1,405 yards while catching nine touchdown passes. His catch rate of 84.5 percent was the highest of any NFL receiver since at least 2001, according to ESPN.

The Saints had never paid a position player more than the $10 million they gave Jimmy Graham in 2015. But it was clear they couldn't afford to lose Thomas who, along with running back Alvin Kamara, have become the focal points of the Drew Brees-led offense.

New Orleans, which lost to Los Angeles in last year's NFC title game, currently has odds of 10/1 to win the Super Bowl. The Saints are tied with the Rams as the second-biggest favorite on the board.