Brown paid off more than the Commanders could have imagined, becoming the team’s third-leading wide receiver and contributing to one of the greatest moments in NFL regular-season history when he caught a 52-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass as time expired in a Week 8 win over the Chicago Bears, which is now known as The Miracle in Maryland.
Just as startling for the Commanders was the abruptness with which Brown’s season ended, when head coach Dan Quinn stated Brown would likely gone for the remainder of the season due to a “serious internal injury” sustained in a Week 13 triumph over the Titans.
The Commanders now have a vacuum in the wide receiver room that they must fill immediately, and they should consider signing Michael Thomas, the 2019 NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Thomas, who has spent his entire career with the New Orleans Saints, is the No. 2 available free agency wide receiver, according to Sharp Football Analysis, trailing only former Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns wide receiver Kadarius Toney, who was released by the Browns on December 10.
Commanders linked to Thomas in the preseason.
Before the season began, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder mentioned Thomas as a player who may potentially help the Commanders.
“Aside from Terry McLaurin, the Commanders’ receiving corps leaves something to be desired and is rather young. On August 12, Holder wrote, “So, the offence and Daniels could use another proven pass-catcher like Thomas.” “While it’s fair to question what the 31-year-old has left in the tank, he did log 39 catches for 448 yards in 10 games last season and it might be worth it to at least bring him in for the rest of training camp.”
Thomas, a two-time NFL All-Pro, has not played a full season since 2019 and only 10 games between 2020 and 2022, missing the whole 2021 season due to injuries.
Thomas was once the NFL’s dominant wide receiver.
To begin his career, Thomas had four consecutive seasons of over 1,000 receiving yards, earning three consecutive Pro Bowl selections from 2017 to 2019 and leading the NFL in receptions in 2018 and 2019. In July 2019, Thomas made NFL history by signing a 5-year, $96.5 million contract extension with $61 million guaranteed, the highest contract for a wide receiver in NFL history.
Thomas then went on to have one of the best seasons for a wide receiver in NFL history in 2019, establishing an NFL record with 149 receptions for 1,725 yards and 9 touchdowns on his route to being voted NFL Offensive Player of The Year.
In his final season with the Saints in 2023, Thomas had 39 receptions for 448 yards and one score in 10 games, including seven starts.
Commanders Trying to Return to the First Postseason Since 2020
The Commanders are 8-5 and clinging to the seventh and last NFC playoff berth with four games remaining, including a road game against Thomas’ former team, the Saints, in Week 15.
Washington hasn’t entered the playoffs since 2020, and they haven’t had a winning season since going 8-7-1 in 2016. The Commanders have not won a postseason game since 2005.
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