Cowboys cutting Ha Ha Clinton-Dix ignites Earl Thomas rumors

The Cowboys cut veteran safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix on Thursday

The Cowboys signed Clinton-Dix this offseason, making it all the more surprising that they released him, and were willing to take an over $2 million cap hit to do so per Todd Archer. Clinton-Dix, while not one of the top safeties in the league, does offer some level of security for a team that’s already lacking in the secondary after losing Byron Jones to the Miami Dolphins this offseason. Unless a corresponding free agent signing or trade is coming, this is odd to say the least.

As it so happens, longtime Cowboys target Earl Thomas is a free agent after his very public falling out with the Baltimore Ravens.

Could the Cowboys be setting up a move for Thomas?

The Cowboys have the cap space for Thomas, but that’s not the overlying issue here. Assuming his price has dramatically decreased, Dallas is in good position to take a flyer on the Texas native. However, the fact that he’s publicly been disgraced by two well-respected organizations in the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens makes for an intriguing discussion.

Should the Cowboys sign Thomas, it would have to come on a team-friendly deal that, for lack of a better term, gives them an out. Thomas is still talented at his age, and on a short-term contract would make a lot of sense based on talent alone. Clinton-Dix wouldn’t have offered that sort of security on the back end, period.

Not too long ago, Thomas told now-fired Cowboys head coach Jason Garrett to “come and get me.” While it’s far from a sure thing, Dallas now has the means to make that dream of Thomas’ a reality.