Sean Payton, the former offensive player of the year, is being pressed to rejoin the Broncos.

Getty: Does Sean Payton plan to get back together with one of the best playmakers from his Saints days?

A lot of talk will surround the Denver Broncos’ summer strategy in the run-up to the 2024 NFL Draft. Sean Payton, the head coach, would surely prioritize finding a solution to the quarterback dilemma.

To boost an offense that finished 19th in the NFL in scoring at 21 points per game, Payton needs more playmakers. Could he right the ship in Denver with a reunion with a top wideout from his days with the New Orleans Saints?

Payton was pressured by Brad Spielberger of PFF to sign a free agent contract with Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas.

In his piece that was published on January 31, Spielberger stated, “A reunion with Sean Payton is the obvious link for our Denver call here, but Denver’s offense simply needs a possession receiver that can win on slants over the middle and out routes to the sidelines.”

It would be affordable for Payton and the Broncos to bring in Thomas. Thomas’ market worth, according to Spotrac, is $9.2 million if the Saints cut him this offseason.

The three-time Pro Bowler’s contract expires after the upcoming season, and in 2025, he will be free to go anywhere.

Under Payton, Thomas performed at his peak in New Orleans.

The Ohio State product, Thomas, was selected 47th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft, and in his first four seasons, he only produced. Under Payton’s direction, the eight-year-old veteran performed at his peak in New Orleans from 2016 to 21.

Thomas caught 470 passes for 5,512 yards and 32 touchdowns in 63 games throughout his first four seasons.

With 125 receptions in 2018, Thomas was the league leader, but he surpassed that total the next season with an NFL record 149 receptions. For his achievements, he was named to the First Team All-Pro twice in a row and received the 2019 Offensive Player of the Year title.

The former Buckeye won OPOY for the first time since 1993, when Hall of Famer Jerry Rice last won the award. After that momentous campaign, Thomas started to suffer from injuries.

Since the 2020 season, Thomas has only appeared in 20 games because of persistent issues with his ankle, foot, and knee. Due to residual consequences from an ankle injury he sustained the year before, he missed the entirety of 2021.

A former All-Pro Could Be Getting old of the Saints

Since 2019, Thomas has not surpassed 1,000 yards receiving, and he held Saints quarterback Derek Carr accountable for his inability to do so in 2023.

He suffered a knee injury in Week 10 against the Minnesota Vikings, and on November 21, he was placed on injured reserve. The playmaker attacked Carr harshly on social media, holding him accountable for the injury.

“Well, I probably would’ve had a light little 1k yards this year, but could of should of, I know, I get it, haha,” Thomas wrote in an X post from January 28 that has since been removed.