Earl Thomas‘ season is over, and so too are his hopes for a trade. But, before the injury, the Chiefs and Seahawks were nearing a blockbuster mid-season swap, according to Terez A. Paylor of Yahoo Sports. 
The Seahawks and Chiefs were unable to reach a deal before their Week 4 games, but there was “internal optimism something would be struck” before the Oct. 31 deadline, Paylor writes. Had they landed Thomas, the Chiefs would have boasted one of the league’s most formidable safety duos with him and Eric Berry (once Berry is healthy), but that dream will have to be put on hold for now.
Given the Chiefs’ aggressiveness in pursuing Thomas, it seems likely that they’ll go hard after him in March, when he hits the free agent market. Thomas’ beloved Cowboys and other contenders will also follow suit, though Thomas’ earning potential may be capped by the stagnating market for veteran safeties.
The Seahawks, meanwhile, will have to move forward without one of their top defenders and it’s improbable that they’ll retain him in 2019. The silver lining is that Thomas’ departure will contribute to their compensatory pick formula and likely land them a third-round choice in 2020.
Great! Just great- this article has the same effect as the Umpires confessional article that was published years after the Seahawks-Steelers SB. Only makes the situation worse. I wish this story was never written
If you don’t like don’t read it’s that easy. It’s funny how everybody complains but you still reading the article.
“Great! Juuuuuust great!” Are you a character from a 50s sitcom?
How did it make the situation worse? Were you personally affected by this? Were you working on the deal or getting a piece of the action? It’s a sport, enjoy it for recreation and not life/death! Relax and let people do their job and report the news!
Does someone need some cheese with there whine?
Hopefully other big name superstars that are entering their final year see this and realize playing without a new guaranteed contract is not the smartest decision. And before anyone says something along the lines of “Well if I did that at my job” you can’t conpare the two, you aren’t making millions of dollars, millions of people don’t watch you do your job.
The thing is players are legally bound to provide a service, playing, during the course of that contract unless injury or something else significant occurs. Just because it’s the last year of the deal doesn’t mean you can just not play as you are violating the contract
Tyler, I agree with you about them being contractually obligated! However, in the case of Earl Thomas and Bell they have been issued a one year contract that they did not personally agree to. Sop in Thomas’ case I would have to disagree with you. He played out his contract and is stuck in a year to year loop “Franchise Tag” without the opportunity to seeks a multi year contract.
Thomas wasn’t on the franchise tag though… this was the last year of the contract he agreed to sign.
Untrue on Thomas. It was the final year of what was the highest paying safety contract when signed.
It isn’t a very good complaint. The reason for this is that NFL contracts are not guaranteed. Why should the owners have an out of a deal they made that turns south but the players should be bound when they out perform the deal?
Tyler, I agree with you about them being contractually obligated! However, in the case of Earl Thomas and Bell they have been issued a one year contract that they did not personally agree to. In Thomas’ case I would have to disagree with you. He played out his contract and is stuck in a year to year loop “Franchise Tag” without the opportunity to seeks a multi year contract.
I’m guessing there will be a strike when the next labor agreement expires and it will be ugly.
Hopefully, the NFLPA can actually negotiate something that stops them from being the biggest clownshow union in pro sports. I’d be telling players right now to start saving their paychecks in order to weather a long lockout.
NFL is dying – half empty stadiums (anybody see that Atlanta game?) and players infuriating the fanbase, with referees that appear to be either on the take, or former professional wrestling referees.
Next lockout is going be very, very ugly.
The NFLPA has been telling it’s members to prepare for a work stoppage for a couple years now
There’s not going to be a lockout. Heck look at the last time a ‘supposed’ lockout may have happened; 07 I think it was, week 1 right on schedule. The players are cowards and will cave. Remember this summer Gurley only wants $80m & signed for half that.
No, the Seahawks likely will NOT receive a 3rd round compensatory pick for Thomas. The team has nearly $70 million in cap space in 2019 and will probably sign some significant FA’s themselves….thereby negating that pick in the compensatory formula.
Earl is really good at showing his teammates that they are #1
He gets paid not to play now I don’t think he feels too bad about that.