In a move that sent ripples through the NFL, the Minnesota Vikings waived former Michigan standout Ambry Thomas on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, as part of the league-wide roster cuts to meet the 53-player limit by 4 p.m. ET. ESPN’s Adam Schefter broke the news, marking another chapter in the rollercoaster career of the once-promising cornerback.
Thomas, a third-round pick (101st overall) by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2021 NFL Draft, burst onto the professional scene with flashes of brilliance. Over three seasons with the 49ers, he started 11 games, racked up 79 tackles, and snagged two interceptions. His defining moment came as a rookie in 2021, when he sealed a playoff berth for San Francisco with a clutch interception of Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford in overtime during the regular season finale. The play showcased the raw talent and instincts that made him a star at Michigan.
A product of Detroit’s Martin Luther King High School, Thomas arrived at the University of Michigan in 2017 with high expectations. As a freshman, he carved out a role on special teams, notably as a kick returner. His sophomore year saw him take on a hybrid role, contributing on both defense and special teams. In a memorable performance against Notre Dame in the 2018 season opener, Thomas electrified the crowd with a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, announcing his potential as a game-changer.
By his junior year in 2019, Thomas had cemented his status as one of the Big Ten’s premier cornerbacks. Starting all 13 games, he recorded three interceptions, two fumble recoveries, and 38 tackles, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors and Michigan’s defensive skill player of the year award. His blend of speed, physicality, and ball skills made him a coveted prospect, but the COVID-shortened 2020 season prompted him to opt out and declare for the NFL Draft.
Thomas’ professional journey, however, has been marked by inconsistency. After his time with the 49ers ended in a release on December 17, 2024, he was briefly claimed by the Indianapolis Colts, only to be let go the next day after failing a physical. Landing on the Vikings’ practice squad last season, Thomas fought to secure a roster spot in 2025. A highlight came in Minnesota’s first preseason game on August 9, when he intercepted a pass, offering a glimpse of the playmaker he could be. Yet, it wasn’t enough to convince the Vikings’ brass to keep him on the active roster.
At 26, Thomas’ NFL future hangs in the balance. His undeniable talent, forged in the crucible of Michigan’s storied program and flashed in moments of brilliance, now faces the harsh reality of a league that waits for no one. Will another team take a chance on the former Wolverine, or is this the end of the line for a player once hailed as a golden talent? Only time will tell.
