The Las Vegas Raiders have signed tight end, an unrestricted free agent, the team announced on Wednesday.
According to the NFL, an unrestricted free agent is a player with at least four accrued seasons and an expired contract, allowing them to negotiate and sign with any team.
Per the team’s press release, Thomas joins the Raiders after spending seven seasons (2018-2024) with the Carolina Panthers. Drafted in the fourth round (101st overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft, he appeared in 99 games with 54 starts, recording 119 receptions for 1,062 yards (8.9 avg.) and four touchdowns.
In 2024, Thomas played five games with two starts before being placed on the Reserve/Injured List. His best statistical season came as a rookie in 2018 when he posted career highs in receptions (36), receiving yards (333), and touchdowns (two).
A Baltimore, Maryland native, Thomas played two seasons at Indiana (2016-2017) after transferring from Nassau Community College. In 2017, he earned All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, catching 25 passes for 376 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 15.0 yards per reception—ranking fifth among tight ends nationwide.
Selected by Carolina in the 2018 draft, Thomas was a key contributor for the Panthers but has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, appearing in just 11 games over the past two years.
Now with Las Vegas, Thomas will compete with Justin Shorter for playing time behind Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer in what could be one of the NFL’s most talented tight end groups.