NFL free safety Earl Thomas has emerged this week as an interesting free agent prospect.
The 7-time Pro Bowler has not played football since the 2019 season when he was with the Baltimore Ravens.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Thomas is ready to come back.
Earl Thomas says he's ready to resume his NFL career, per @AdamSchefter.
Thomas is a 3x First-Team All-Pro.
Despite being inactive the last 2 seasons, that is still tied for the most selections among DB since 2010. pic.twitter.com/BaaBUnxd1S
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) April 22, 2022
Prior to the 2020 season, he was cut by the Ravens after he got into a preseason altercation with safety Chuck Clark during practice.
The Houston Texans considered signing Thomas after that incident until Texans players let it be known that they did not want him on the team because of his reputation of being uncoachable and not a great asset in the locker room.
Thomas will turn 33 in a couple of weeks and has declared himself in football shape and ready for a resurgence.
Here are three teams that should consider taking a chance on Thomas who was one of the elite members of the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom in its glory days.
3. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles organization does not shy away from giving controversial players a second chance; Michael Vick is a notable example.
The Baltimore Ravens released Earl Thomas yesterday. The immediate question among Philadelphia Eagles fans is should the team pursue signing former All-Pro safety? @max_dfl has the answer in his story published on @EaglesBrawl #BrawlNetwork https://t.co/P2Xp4gmH7P
— Eagles Unfiltered (@EaglesUnfilter) August 24, 2020
There was even interest in signing Thomas after his release from the Ravens, but nothing materialized.
If Earl Thomas makes a return, I’d watch out for the Eagles. I could see the “city of brotherly love” being a good fit for him. https://t.co/RfuZ17gaYn
— Tyler Jones (@TylerJonesLive) April 22, 2022
The Eagles could offer Thomas a one-year deal to add to their depth chart which currently has Anthony Harris and Jared Mayden in the free safety position.
2. Las Vegas Raiders
Under new head coach Josh McDaniels, Thomas could contribute to a revamped Raiders roster.
As was the case with the Eagles, there were people who felt that the Raiders would sign Thomas back in 2020 after his release from the Ravens.
There is also that old story about Thomas telling Raiders owner Mark Davis to come and get him back in 2018.
It was later described as a joke, but Thomas obviously is drawn to the Raiders.
Person familiar with conversation had different account. Earl Thomas, Mark Davis recently exchanged pleasantries in Las Vegas. Someone asked Thomas if holding out. Thomas responded in jest: “Why? You guys coming to get me?” Regardless, Raiders an unlikely fit for his services. https://t.co/AliM6RYYGn
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) July 25, 2018
The Raiders have a young roster of free safeties consisting of 22-year-old Tre’von Moehrig and 24-year-old Tyree Gillespie.
Thomas adds experience and depth.
1. Dallas Cowboys
The common denominator between the Cowboys and Thomas is Dan Quinn.
Quinn is the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, and he was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator when Thomas was there.
He also once called Thomas “one of my all-time favorite competitors.”
Dan Quinn was asked if the #Falcons had any interest in Earl Thomas, "He is absolutely one of my favorite all-time competitors. I love the guy, but at this time, that’s a position that we’re not looking to add to." Quinn coached Earl in Seattle. @nflnetwork
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) August 25, 2020
Donovan Wilson and Tyler Coyle are the current free safeties listed on the Cowboys roster, but it would be a huge surprise if the Cowboys did not take a chance on signing Thomas and reuniting him with Quinn.
Conclusion
The NFL is definitely a league of second chances so Earl Thomas most likely will get one.
It is not clear if he has specific stipulations regarding the length of the contract or his salary.
He has earned over $81 million in his NFL career with his highest contract year being his last full one with the Ravens in 2019 when he earned $22 million.
Thomas may only get a veteran minimum offer which would be in the neighborhood of $1.1 million.
Earl Thomas' Pff grade in 2012 superbowl winning season – 67
Earl Thomas' final 2019 season Pff grade – 76.7 pic.twitter.com/OzPJglRs73
— PhillyCalebWilliams (@CalebPhilly) April 22, 2022
It would be well worth the cost if Thomas returned to his 2019 prominence.
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