Saints WR Michael Thomas is glad Eli Apple is out of the Big Apple and the "circus" that came with it.

After the Saints' 12-9 win over the Panthers on Monday Night Football, Thomas showed his teammate some love while taking a shot at the Giants.

"We had to get my boy up out of the Circus, and get him around his folks so he can flourish. Proud of you @eliapple_24 bro we not never going back! #WENOTUS"

Apple earned Thomas' praise after intercepting a Cam Newton pass in the end zone in the final seconds of the first half. The 23-year-old Apple added three tackles in the victory.

The Giants shipped Apple to New Orleans in October for a fourth-round pick in 2019 and a seventh-rounder in 2020. Monday's INT was Apple's second as a Saint. He had one pick in two-plus seasons with the Giants -- that came in December of his rookie season.

Apple, who was picked 10th overall by the Giants in the 2016 NFL draft, had a tumultuous 2017 season that contributed to the team's downward spiral.

Halfway through last season, Apple threatened to walk out of the team facility after teammates and coaches called out his lack of effort. Then-coach Ben McAdoo then kept him inactive for four straight games, and after returning for two games, Apple was suspended for the final game of the season following a confrontation with coaches.

Landon Collins even called Apple a "cancer" last December, though the two eventually made amends and Apple returned in 2018 with a clean slate under a new Giants regime.

Still, Thomas appears more than willing to bring up Apple's past while ripping his former team.

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