NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 09: Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints reacts after a game against the Houston Texans at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Wil Lutz kicked a game-winning 58 yard field goal as time expired to give the Saints a 30-28 win. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas responds to the shocking decision Deshaun Watson made to head to the Cleveland Browns over the Saints.
The New Orleans Saints have spiraled downward from an NFC Divisional Round appearance in 2021 to being without a potential Hall of Fame head coach and quarterback.
So when it was down to the Saints and Atlanta Falcons for quarterback Deshaun Watson’s final landing spots, it was entirely possible that the franchise could change overnight with a Watson signing. Then, in an unexpected move, Watson turned around and asked to be traded for the Cleveland Browns.
In a tweet criticizing his own team, Saints receiver Michael Thomas said that he couldn’t blame Watson for changing his mind, sarcastically tweeting #WhoDat with an array of emojis.
Michael Thomas doesn’t blame Deshaun Watson for ditching the Saints
It’s curious why Thomas wouldn’t blame Watson for signing elsewhere, as pairing with Watson could elevate Thomas to become the kind of receiver he was with Drew Brees in the backfield. Statistically speaking, Watson was one of the best quarterbacks in 2020 despite a dismal 4-12 record.
There’s been rumored drama between Thomas and the Saints in the past when Saints team doctors and Thomas’ doctors differed on how to treat his ankle injury. The ankle injury wound up keeping him on the PUP list all year.
The Saints also restructured Thomas’ $96 million contract this offseason, offering a potential out in 2022. As of now, Thomas is on the Saints, although perhaps he will also be looking for a way to get traded soon—maybe even to Cleveland.