Earl Thomas is digging in an effort to get a new contract or be traded, so these five teams should be calling the Seahawks.
Earl Thomas is not at training camp with the Seattle Seahawks, with his desire for a contract extension made clear. There’s no end to the stalemate in sight, and Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll acknowledged there has been no communication between the team and the six-time Pro Bowler.
Thomas is risking fines with each day he’s not in camp, and game checks should he choose to holdout into the regular season. But he is digging in, not conceding, with the latest indication a post that went live on The Player’s Tribune Thursday morning.
"I’m standing strong on this — because I’ve got to. I’m standing strong when it comes to getting what I deserve. I’ve been one of the best defensive players in this league for the better part of a decade, and the numbers show that this team plays much better with me than without me."
But toward the beginning of Thomas’ writing comes the punch line.
"And it’s the reason why I’m asking the Seahawks to do one of two things: Offer me an extension. Or trade me to a team that wants me to be part of their future."
The Seahawks’ vaunted “Legion of Boom” has been dismantled, due to injury-forced retirement (Kam Chancellor) or a decision to not bring someone back (Richard Sherman). Thomas is the last remaining member, but he has missed seven games over the last two seasons and is now 29 years old.
A huge contract extension along the lines Thomas is seeking is probably not coming from any team. But among those that could at least give him a commitment beyond the 2018 season, these five teams should have Seahawks’ general manager John Schneider on the phone very soon.
5. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers are on the rise, and they of course signed Sherman after he was released by Seattle. Adrian Colbert, a 2017 seventh-round pick, was reported to be entrenched as the starting free safety coming out of offseason work, after starting six games as a rookie, but Thomas would be a clear upgrade.
San Francisco has plenty of cap space to take on Thomas’ $8.5 million salary for this year, and looking toward 2010 and 2020 they can easily fit a new contract into their financial picture.
The Seahawks may not be willing to trade Thomas to a division rival. But John Lynch has proven to have some guts in his role as 49ers’ general manager, so it’s easy to see an offer coming.