Earl Thomas looks to be budging in his offseason-long holdout. The three-time first-team All-Pro safety intends to report to the Seahawks on Wednesday, Josina Anderson of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter).
This marks a big morning for Thomas news, with the Cowboys having reportedly upped their offer for the 29-year-old defender. They’re now willing to part with a second-round pick after refusing to do so on draft weekend, but the Seahawks refused to make a deal. It also appears the Cowboys have bowed out of the talks after making that offer, with Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reporting (via Twitter) this prompted Thomas to report.
Seattle still wants a first-round pick for Thomas, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports (on Twitter). Considering the Cowboys wouldn’t part with their 2018 second-rounder, it’s understandable they would balk at this price.
The Seahawks are also planning to wipe out the extensive fines (up to $1.6MM) Thomas has incurred during his holdout, Rapoport reports (on Twitter). That’s a notable step in building a bridge for a reunion between the parties, but for a player who formed an extension-or-trade stance, all’s not well between the top Legion of Boom cog and the Seahawks.
Thomas explained as much on an Instagram post.
“I worked my whole life for this….. I’ve never let me teammates, city or fans down as long as I’ve lived and don’t plan on starting this weekend,” Thomas wrote in his latest IG post. “With that being said, the disrespect has been well noted and will not be forgotten. Father Time may have an undefeated record but best believe I plan on taking him into triple overtime when it comes to my career.”
For now, Thomas plans to play on the final year of his 2014-constructed contract. It calls for an $8.5MM base salary. No new agreement is in place, ESPN’s Dan Graziano tweets.
This represents big news for a Seahawks team that lost so much of its defensive core this offseason and stands to be without K.J. Wright in its opener against the Broncos. Thomas will slide in back at his free safety spot, likely kicking Bradley McDougald back to the strong safety role he assumed from Kam Chancellor. Thomas has not worked with his teammates since Week 17 of last season.
While the Seahawks as of now are getting back a brooding Thomas, who may well not factor into the team’s post-2018 future, they are undoubtedly much better because of his return. Thomas returned after breaking his leg in 2016 to play in 14 Seattle games last season. He made the Pro Bowl, his sixth, and finished the year as Pro Football Focus’ No. 5 safety.
NEXT STORY: LeVeon Bell to End Holdout
FOLLOWED BY: Steelers and Seahawks Swap Bell and Thomas
Keep saying it and maybe it will come true, lol. Why on earth would Pittsburgh make that trade? If they put Le’Veon on the block they would get a Khalil Mack type return.
No they won’t. The best they’ll get is a 2nd rounder. Or, they can do a disgruntled star for disgruntled star swap with the Seachickens.
There is a massive risk that both Bell and Thomas destroy their locker rooms when they return. Both PIT and SEA would love to acquire a player of that caliber in return for removing a giant headache.
Based on what information? How do you know what Seattle and putt would love to acquire? You think Bell only nets them a 2nd? He is arguably the best offensive player in the game, I would take the over all day on a 2nd rounder.
See the difference with Mack and Bell is that Mack was willing to sign an extension with the team that traded for him. That’s the reason the bears gave up what they did. Bell has said he wants to test the market. Why give up the farm if there’s not even a guarantee you keep him next year?
He wants to test the market now, because the Steelers won’t pay him WR money. If the Steelers offered him what he wants, he would sign. So, a trading team can do what the bears did and ask for the window to negotiate.
Your crazy. All the teams have to do is wait til next year and offer a contract
Nope, Bell isn’t ending his holdout anytime soon. He just said that the report that he was about to end his holdout isn’t true and his agent just went on a radio show and hinted at a lengthy holdout.
Well if that’s true and he shows up in Week 9 after the trade deadline, the Steelers can get a 2-week exemption on him. Only pay him for 5 weeks and bench him the rest of the way.
Also, that puts him into the FA pool next year after an entire year and a half away from the game. Good luck getting “big money” then.
The ‘hawks used the 1st round this year on a RB. Why trade for another one?
Because Bobby bonilla wills it so
The original poster is clueless about reality.
Because the RB they selected will be out of football within 2 years.
He’s still going to be a Cowboy next year without giving up a pick