The discussions between the Cowboys and Seahawks about the price for Earl Thomas did not cease after the draft, with ESPN.com’s Josina Anderson reporting (via Twitter) the teams have discussed the safety in the months since.
Dallas and Seattle hit a wall when talking a Thomas trade on Day 2 of the draft, when the Cowboys used their second-round pick on Connor Williams instead of trading it to the Seahawks in a package for Thomas.
It’s unclear precisely what the Seahawks are asking for to send their top defender to the Cowboys, but Anderson notes it remains a “really high price.” Thomas is entering the final year of his contract and wants either an extension — likely one that would make him the league’s highest-paid safety — or a trade. The Cowboys have been by far the team most connected to the Texas native regarding a trade.
The 29-year-old All-Pro defender has not given any indication he will end his holdout soon.
The Seahawks have somewhat promising expectations 2017 third-rounder Delano Hill can team with Bradley McDougald, in the event of a Thomas trade, and form a solid safety tandem. But the Seahawks would inch closer to a full-scale rebuild by parting with Thomas after an offseason that’s seen four Super Bowl-era defenders exit.
Jerry Jones said after the draft the Cowboys were interested in upgrading at safety, following a weekend that did not include a safety pick. But nothing’s transpired on that front, and training camp is fast approaching. Jeff Heath and 2017 sixth-rounder Xavier Woods remain penciled in as Dallas’ back-line starters. Byron Jones has worked as a cornerback throughout the offseason.
This article seems to come out once a week with no new details.
Quit writing the same blurb over & over. Until he’s traded, there’s no news. C u n t y
Maybe Jerry jones can trade for teeth that aren’t made out of wood
Dallas REALLY needs to either trade for Thomas or hit up Eric Reid or one of the other free agent safeties..
Any addition at this point, would be a significant upgrade over what they currently have on their roster.
There’s no way that Dallas can have realistic expectations of fighting for a playoff spot with their current depth at safety..
They easily have the worst two starting safeties in the entire NFL, and the fact they’ve done NOTHING to improve that so far is mond-boggling..
While they still have some time to bring someone in, and get then acclimated to their defense, training camp is beginning, and the pre-season isn’t very far away…
Only mind-boggling for the impatient. They could have had Thomas for a 1st or 2nd rounder a few months ago. In a few weeks, they might be able to get him for less.
They could have gotten a free agent safety months ago for way more, they are nearly all still available and likely willing to settle for much less.
Safety is not the most complex position on the field, in terms of learning a new playbook. Teams utilize these guys similarly and veteran guys can come in and suit up successfully within days. I’d have no problem waiting until the end of August to bring one in. Absolute worst case scenario is we roll with mostly Woods in the first game before switching over.
This is not a crisis at all.