On Thursday, safety Earl Thomas opened up about his standoff with the Seahawks. In an essay for The Players’ Tribune, Thomas indicated that he will continue his holdout until he gets a new multi-year deal or gets traded to another team that will give him one.
“In the end, it’s like I said: If the Seahawks don’t intend on having me around for the long-term, then I understand,” Thomas wrote. “And if they want to start over and rebuild, then that’s their right — it’s part of the business. It’s not what I want … but I get it. All I ask, though, is that if that’s the case, and they don’t want me anymore — just please trade me to an organization that does. Please trade me to a team that wants me, so I can give my all to them for the rest of my career.”
Thomas, who is still only 29, is insistent that he still has years of great football left in the tank. With six Pro Bowl appearances and three First-Team All-Pro selections on his resume, it’s hard to argue with him on that point. Still, the Seahawks say they will not address Thomas’ deal until after the 2018 season.
While we wait to see how that plays out, here’s more from the NFC West:
- Based on what Ndamukong Suh landed in free agency and the cap inflation that has occurred since then, Jason Fitzgerald of Over The Cap (Twitter link) can see the logic in Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald seeking roughly $25MM/year. However, he notes that Suh was in a different position because he was a free agent and the Dolphins were overly eager to make a splash. Donald has not reported to training camp and reports indicate that his holdout could easily drag into September.
- Earlier this week, the Cardinals auditioned linebacker Gerald Hodges.
- Recently, the 49ers wrapped their draft class by signing second-round pick Dante Pettis.
Why should the Seahawks trade Thomas to another team and make them better if they aren’t getting what they decide is fair compensation?
A third or fourth round pick is better then him leaving for nothing. Thomas will not resign with the hawks next year if they keep toying with him.
Franchise tag
That makes no sense. They’ll probably get a third round compensatory pick if he plays for the Seahawks this year, or holds out. Seahawks don’t need to trade him, so if some other team want him they’re going to have to pay up.
Though it’s fairly rare to suffer a career ending injury I do see his point. That said, his comp to Sherman and Lofa getting cut doesn’t fly with me. One had a serious injury but is now making plenty of money in SF after being cut while Lofa was already on a surprising decline, which merits the take less or get cut stance that’s typical in the NFL. On top of that you can’t say you took less to keep the LOB intact because you were the highest paid safety when you signed your deal so don’t play the hero here, bud.
Lofa also never played in nfl again cause no one wanted him
Seahawks can use franchise tag multiple times to keep Thomas
No they can’t he isn’t in his rookie deal you have to be i your rookie 5 year deal to be controlled by the Francise tag .. he will walk that’s why the Cowboys aren’t making the deal just waiting on his free agency cause they will have tons of cap space next year
Uhh….nope! Not sure where you came up with that at?
Nope…try again
You’re still on a contract that you signed, Mr. Thomas.