The Buffalo Bills are currently second in line to sign veteran wide receiver Michael Thomas, according to odds from BetOnline. The team’s revamped receiving corps, stocked with talented but unproven pass catchers, could potentially benefit from the addition of a two-time All-Pro like Thomas. However, a closer look at the situation reveals that the signing may not be as straightforward as it seems.
On paper, Thomas’s credentials are impressive. He has led the NFL in receptions twice and has caught 565 passes for 6,569 yards and 36 touchdowns throughout his career. His presence would provide a reliable target for quarterback Josh Allen, who needs a proven pass catcher. However, Thomas’s recent injury history and declining production are significant concerns.
The 31-year-old wideout has been limited to just 20 games over the past four seasons due to various lower-body injuries, including a nagging ankle injury that caused him to miss the entire 2021 campaign. Even when available, Thomas has not been as productive as he once was, catching just 52 passes for 619 yards over the past two seasons.
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Furthermore, the Bills’ offseason moves at wide receiver were made with a clear plan in mind. The team is looking to get younger and more egalitarian in its aerial production, moving away from funneling the offense through one target. Signing Thomas, who averaged roughly 150 targets per season in his prime, would directly oppose this strategy.
While Thomas wouldn’t be a bad low-risk signing if he were willing to take a team-friendly deal, it’s unlikely that the Bills would be willing to invest in a 31-year-old with a history of ankle injuries. The team has talent throughout its receiving corps and is helmed by one of the league’s best signal-callers in Josh Allen. It’s possible that the Bills will be just fine without Thomas, and that their current strategy will pay off in the long run.