Cowboys should explore Earl Thomas move
By Mark Powell
![Earl Thomas, Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) Earl Thomas, Baltimore Ravens. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/1843b58ea4e1c0a1bea27094d6cf5e88835d92a5438cadcc2f6436b1ddbf481b.jpg)
The Cowboys flirtation with Earl Thomas could reach a natural conclusion
Thomas was ejected from Ravens training camp on Friday after getting into a fight with a teammate. Come Saturday, he still wasn’t invited back. Per Tom Pelissero, the Ravens are unsure what the future holds for the veteran safety in Baltimore. This is far from the first time he’s acted out against his own, and if they can cut him loose with a minimal cap hit, it might be worth getting rid of a headache.
My understanding is the #Ravens told Earl Thomas to stay home today after sending him home Friday following the practice altercation with teammate Chuck Clark. No decisions yet on his status, but keeping Thomas away for now buys time for Baltimore to evaluate its options.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 22, 2020
Should that hold true, the ideal suitor for Thomas remains the Dallas Cowboys. Jerry Jones and the Dallas front office conveniently just increased their cap room by reworking Tyron Smith’s contract, so if Thomas is cut, they can use some (or all) of their newfound $6.675 million cap space to add to their secondary.
Should the Cowboys explore adding Earl Thomas yet again?
Dallas was in the Jamal Adams chase for a reason, and while Thomas isn’t that sort of player given his advanced football age, he’d be an upgrade over the Cowboys’ current options at safety. Not to mention, he brings some fire to a Dallas secondary that could use it following the departure of Byron Jones to the Miami Dolphins this offseason.
Should the Ravens decide to give Thomas another chance, it could be worth a phone call for Jones, as he might be available at a significant discount. Considering Thomas’ current contract, which basically accounts for his signing bonus, it’s reasonable for Dallas especially if they can make the cap work to their benefit even more.
The remaining value on Earl Thomas' contract:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) August 22, 2020
2020: $10M salary (currently guaranteed)
2021: $11M salary (non-guaranteed)
2022: $12M salary (non-guaranteed)
$15M of his $20M signing bonus must still be accounted for on the salary cap.
This is all hypothetical, but Thomas has been involved in multiple incidents with teammates since his arrival in Baltimore, including an altercation with Brandon Williams are the Ravens lost to the Browns in 2019.
Revisiting this romance feels tired, especially after Thomas went to Baltimore in March of ’19, rather than Dallas. Despite all he’s said, the Orange, Texas native hasn’t been a Cowboy even though he’s had ample opportunity to do so.
Now could be his best chance, if the Cowboys are willing to meet either his or the Ravens’ asking price.
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