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Top 30 duos in NFL history

By Jarrett Bailey

BALTIMORE - 1960's: (L to R) Quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 and wide receiver Raymond Berry #82 of the Baltimore Colts on the sidelines during a game circa 1960's at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE - 1960's: (L to R) Quarterback Johnny Unitas #19 and wide receiver Raymond Berry #82 of the Baltimore Colts on the sidelines during a game circa 1960's at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 22: Drew Brees #9 and Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints participate in a post game media interview after the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. New Orleans defeats Tennessee 38-28. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 22: Drew Brees #9 and Michael Thomas #13 of the New Orleans Saints participate in a post game media interview after the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. New Orleans defeats Tennessee 38-28. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

29. Drew Brees and Michael Thomas

Drew Brees and Michael Thomas took the phrase “Records were made to be broken” far too seriously. From 2016-19, these two collectively rewrote the NFL record book.

As a rookie, Thomas caught 92 passes for 1,137 yards and nine touchdowns. He followed up that season by earning his first Pro Bowl selection in 2017, catching 104 passes for over 1,200 yards and five touchdowns. 2018 and ’19 were legendary years for the young receiver and the Hall of Fame quarterback, though.

Thomas led the NFL in receptions both years. He caught 125 passes for over 1,400 yards and nine touchdowns, earning his first All-Pro honors. In 2019, Brees and Thomas made history. Thomas broke Marvin Harrison’s record for receptions in a season by catching an ungodly 149 passes for over 1,700 yards and nine touchdowns. In that two season span, Thomas caught 274 passes for over 3,100 yards.

Thomas missed most of 2020 with an ankle injury, and Brees retired after the season, so this duo was only together for about four and a half seasons, but they made great use of their time. Once Thomas gets healthy, it will be exciting to see if he can continue playing at this historic pace.

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