Eight that might ‘come get’ Thomas
A Pro Bowl talent just dropped onto the open market less than three weeks before the first NFL regular-season game of the season.
The Ravens cut Earl Thomas, a seven-time Pro Bowl safety, one year into his four-year, $55 million deal, announcing Sunday they were releasing him for “personal conduct that has adversely affected” the team. Multiple reports said Thomas punched fellow starting safety Chuck Clark during practice Friday.
And just like that, the team that finished with the NFL’s best regular-season record last year parted with one of the most accomplished players of his era.
So, what next?
Coming off an unceremonious split and left to find a team with little time to acclimate before the season, Thomas, 31, might have to settle for a one-year pact.
Even though the three-time All-Pro might not be in his career-best form, he offers significant value to a team in need of help in the secondary, particularly for one willing to let him operate in the single-high role in which he has thrived throughout his career.
These eight teams could make for the most sensible landing spots for Thomas:
1. Cowboys
The South Orange, Texas, native’s dalliance with Dallas dates to 2017, when the then-Seahawks standout told then-coach Jason Garrett after a game to “come get me.” Nearly three years later, the timing might finally be right for both sides. Although the Cowboys signed former Packers and Bears safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix this offseason and return Xavier Woods at the other starting spot, Thomas and his ball-hawking tendencies would no doubt aid a defense that tied for a league-low seven interceptions last season. From Thomas’ perspective, heading home to play for a contender likely ranks among the most attractive options for resetting his career. And while Jerry Jones refused to give up substantial draft capital to land Jamal Adams, he now has a relatively low-cost avenue for bringing another star safety to Dallas.
2. Falcons
Having served as the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator at the franchise’s peak in 2013-14, Atlanta head coach Dan Quinn is well-acquainted with Thomas’ capabilities and demeanor. Beyond that familiarity, Quinn and Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff also have ample motivation for bringing on a defensive stalwart given their franchise’s unclear future after two 7-9 campaigns. Atlanta is in clear need of reinforcements to slow the likes of Tom Brady and Drew Brees consistently this season, and Thomas is a substantial shortterm upgrade on the in-house options at safety.
3. Buccaneers
Brady’s arrival in Tampa this spring signaled the implementation of a winnow approach that should compel the Buccaneers to consider Thomas. The defense’s front seven is formidable, but the back end is still likely a sore spot after ranking 30th in passing yards allowed (270.1 per game) last year. The salary cap situation, however, might be prohibitive, as the Buccaneers have a league-low $2.39 million available right now, according to overthecap.com.
4. Texans
This wouldn’t be the Texas homecoming Thomas has long spoken of, but it could still be appealing. Houston has won the AFC South Division title in four of the last five seasons, yet there’s a sizable gap to be closed on the top conference contenders in Kansas City and Baltimore. Pairing Justin Reid with Thomas would make for a promising safety tandem, though the Texans might believe they already have that after handing Eric Murray a three-year, $18 million deal this offseason. Ultimately, Bill O’Brien might not be sold on bringing on the veteran, as Thomas told The Athletic last year that the coach didn’t believe he wanted to play football when the two spoke.
5. 49ers
A “Legion of Boom” reunion with Richard Sherman would no doubt be cause for plenty of excitement in the Bay Area and beyond. Yet while Sherman’s presence and defensive coordinator Robert Saleh’s Cover 3 scheme might lead some to believe San Francisco would be a natural landing spot, general manager John Lynch stood pat a year ago when Thomas was a free agent, and he has since re-signed safety Jimmie Ward to a three-year, $28.5 million contract. While the 49ers can’t be dismissed, the defending NFC champions appear more concerned with retaining their core than reconfiguring it.
6. Patriots
Buying low on top talent is a familiar page out of the Bill Belichick playbook. There’s no question that the New England coach admires Thomas, either, as he once likened the safety to Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed. Still, even after losing several starters to free agency and opt-outs, a New England defense that’s heavy on man coverage might be ill-suited for Thomas.
7. Raiders
It’s easy to see why general manager Mike Mayock, who isn’t afraid to make a bold acquisition, would be drawn to Thomas given his defense never plugged its leaks in allowing big pass plays, including 68 completions of 20plus yards. Probably not a bad idea, either, to have a strong countermeasure for tight ends in a division that features bona fide threats in Travis Kelce (Chiefs) and Hunter Henry (Chargers) as well as an emerging talent in Noah Fant (Broncos). But maybe Mayock will have pause about altering his training camp chemistry after last summer’s Antonio Brown debacle.
8. Chargers
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley served in the same role for the Seahawks for the first three years of Thomas’ career, and the two spoke in glowing terms about each other after the split. Adding another top talent to a group that already includes Casey Hayward, Chris Harris and Derwin James, among others, would solidify the Bolts’ case for having the best secondary in the NFL. The schematic fit would be straightforward, with Thomas patrolling deep while James and fellow safety Rayshawn Jenkins could be used all over the field. Yet coach Anthony Lynn and general manager Tom Telesco don’t seem particularly inclined to make a drastic move, especially given that Los Angeles appears to be in a transition year after parting ways with longtime starting quarterback Philip Rivers.