Kyle Shanahan addresses rumors 49ers could sign Earl Thomas

Earl Thomas will likely not become a San Francisco 49er.

One of the reasons the Baltimore Ravens were supposed to have one of the league’s best defenses was safety Earl Thomas limiting the number of big plays in the passing game. Baltimore’s vision of an elite, upper-tier defense was shattered after Thomas was released following a heated confrontation with Chuck Clark in practice.

The former Seattle Seahawk will find his next team in the near future, as the Dallas Cowboys have often been mentioned as a potential landing spot for him, but the reigning NFC champs will not be it. San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that he will not be pursuing Thomas, citing happiness with his current group of defensive backs.

Earl Thomas is still one of the league’s best safeties but the 49ers aren’t interested in signing the former All-Pro

Thomas was one of the league’s best safeties over the last decade, but he chose to swap Seattle for Baltimore due to friction with Pete Carroll. As the veteran leader on a 14-2 Ravens team, Thomas recorded 49 tackles and two interceptions, making the Pro Bowl once again. Unfortunately, Thomas’ magic sizzled out in the postseason.

The 49ers seem to be perfectly satisfied with starting Jaquiski Tartt and Jimmie Ward at safety. Considering how Ward is younger, cheaper, and equally as versatile as the seven-time Pro Bowler Thomas, Shanahan and Robert Saleh choosing to not add their old rival is understandable given how the roster is constructed.

Thomas has the potential to transform a defense if he lands in the right scheme, and Saleh, who comes from Carroll’s coaching tree, could provide him with the perfect role, but the 49ers are fresh off winning the NFC thanks in large part to their dominant defense. Thomas would be a luxury for one of the league’s most complete units.