Best of Wednesday at NFL training camps: Thomas resets WR market; Rosen gains in QB derby
Stephen A. Smith contends that Michael Thomas earned his 5-year, $100 million extension with his production on the field. (1:27)
Michael Thomas will be at camp soon after signing a record-breaking extension with the Saints. Plus, Von Miller and Josh Allen grant birthday wishes, Baker Mayfield dishes on his relationship with OBJ, and Josh Rosen is gaining ground in the Dolphins’ QB competition.
Here’s what you need to know from camps across the league:
Jump to the best of Wednesday: Photos | Videos | Quotes
Sources: Saints, Michael Thomas reach $100M deal
Michael Thomas has reached agreement with the New Orleans Saints on a five-year, $100 million extension that includes $61 million guaranteed and makes him the NFL’s highest-paid wide receiver, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Wednesday.
Thomas is now tied to the Saints for the next six years, through the 2024 season.
Reaction to Thomas’ record-breaking deal came in swiftly on social media:
@Cantguardmike CONGRATS lil bro!! Well deserved. Keep going and settle for nothing less than GREATNESS 👑 🚀 🙏🏾
Amazing @Cantguardmike. Only the beginning my brotha!!! CLEANER
Sheeesh @Cantguardmike
Congrats bro! Stay Locked-In and keep pushing. 🔒
All money in!! @Cantguardmike EARNED DAT 💪🏾
More:
Tom Brady says he bulked up to better absorb hits
Baker Mayfield not afraid to confront Browns’ top WRs
Donald Penn got Trent Williams’ advice before joining Skins
Falcons rookie Kaleb McGary to have heart procedure
Bills’ high-priced C Mitch Morse in concussion protocol
CB Bashaud Breeland on the collision with Tyreek Hill that knocked Hill out of Tuesday’s practice pic.twitter.com/Jai1Fw9jqh
I think Von Miller made this girl’s birthday wish come true pic.twitter.com/FjsJ7zpa1x
Baker, on getting after his WRs in practice and his appreciation for his relationship with OBJ and Jarvis to be able to talk things out pic.twitter.com/vStqUum3V2
This Bills fan just wanted to meet Josh Allen for his 8th birthday today.
Wish granted Video by Marcel Louis-Jacques
Marcus Mariota on using hard counts and cadence during practice. #Titans pic.twitter.com/MZeospQ5RT
The Scottish Hammer out here playing rugby pic.twitter.com/6nuekE9e65
The construction workers at this structure overlooking Redskins training camp are @dallascowboys fans… 😂 (via @DarrenMHaynes)pic.twitter.com/D8qD6j3Iro
Kliff Kingsbury on what a real fight looks like. And it wasn’t the scuffle in practice yesterday. pic.twitter.com/wsgScEE1Hp
Can confirm, Harrison Phillips is not a problem for this Bills fan pic.twitter.com/dJo1EHplGX
Rookie training camp duties for sixth-round pick Isaiah Prince. Quite a load.
Titans RB Derrick Henry is out here signing autographs for the fans. One thing to note: he is NOT wearing a walking boot. https://t.co/aCsWXsKQ0q pic.twitter.com/6Rk6wzT44l
Kliff Kingsbury’s public plea to for Madden 20 to make him look more like himself has worked. EA Sports, the producers of Madden 20, told ESPN that it is looking at Kingsbury’s face and “seeing what tweaks we can make.” The first-year Cardinals head coach said that of Wednesday morning he had not heard from the game makers but EA tweeted out a work-in-progress photo of Kingsbury in the afternoon. Later in the day, EA told ESPN: “We are as-yet undecided on what the exact percentage of ‘more Gosling’ will be.” The wait continues.
We are seeing improvement from Josh Rosen this week and that’s what Brian Flores has been asking for. He’s got to continue progressing to catch Ryan Fitzpatrick but he’s trending up. Eager to see how he does in the scrimmage and preseason. It was a rough day for Ryan Fitzpatrick on Wednesday throwing two interceptions and a fumbled snap. Rosen was more steady.
QB Sam Darnold made a mistake on the first play of practice — he went the wrong way on a handoff — and he got “mad,” Adam Gase said. Apparently, a mad Sam is a good Sam. Darnold (12-for-15, 2 TDs) responded with his best practice of camp. What stood out was his ability to make plays outside the pocket, which he showed last season. Gase: “I like the fact that our quarterback is pretty good.”
Now that Ezekiel Elliott’s holdout has reached six days, the Cowboys can come after a portion of the running back’s prorated signing bonus, which is a little more than $613,000. After that it is an additional 1% for each day he misses up to a maximum of 25%. That could cost Elliott $1.02 million. This is in addition to the $40,000 in daily fines that can be assessed for missing each day. But the sides are still talking about a long-term deal.
Asked Daniel Jones about his biggest challenge so far at camp and he mentioned there was “a lot I haven’t seen before” in terms of defensive looks. Key is seeing it, learning and improving the next time.
Also wasn’t happy w/1st INT of camp Tuesday. Needs to put that ball higher
Interesting nugget: Eli Manning hired a new trainer this offseason to improve his velocity. He was referred to Mickey Brueckner by former MLB pitcher Al Leiter. Brueckner told me biggest gains made were improving Manning’s strength. Early return is he’s throwing well this summer.