10 NFC predictions for Week 1 of 2018 NFL season

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GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 10: Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after being beaten for a touchdown by Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers during a game at Lambeau Field on September 10, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won 17-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

7. Seattle will regret not trading Earl Thomas

The Earl Thomas-era in Seattle appears to be entering its final season. It’s not a surprise that his days are numbered in the Pacific Northwest considering the team purged most of the veterans from their outspoken locker room this offseason. They needed a restart, yet they curiously kept Thomas.

Within the past week, Dallas upped its offer to the Seahawks for Pro Bowl safety Earl Thomas to a second-round pick, per sources. Seattle wasn’t interested; it wants more.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 5, 2018

Blowing the opportunity to snag a second-round pick from the Dallas Cowboys was their best chance to reload their cabinet of assets. A better offer isn’t coming, and to be clear, giving up that much for even a great 29-year-old defensive back who also needs a new contract is an overpay. The Seahawks overplayed their hand in possibly trying to extract a first-round pick, or a young player to go with a Day 2 selection.

Thomas will be an asset every game he plays but this is a team that will be an underdog in most of their games this year. Traveling to Denver in Week 1 is a likely loss if history continues, and the Seahawks must contend with one of the best divisions in the NFL.

Completing the reset of the Legion-of-Boom-era was the shrewd option, but now they’ll waste a prime opportunity.