Free safety Earl Thomas has likely played his last game in a Seattle Seahawks uniform.
“It’s a great opportunity for Earl to have the free agent status now,” coach Pete Carroll said Thursday during his NFL combine press conference. “The play that he showed last year was extraordinary – he was on fire until he got banged up.”
Thomas fractured his leg Week 4 against the Cardinals and spent the remainder of his contract year on the injured reserve. Despite holding out before the start of last season, Thomas was unsuccessful in negotiating either a contract extension or trade.
General manager John Schneider confirmed Wednesday the Seahawks have not had recent contact with the free safety and Thomas will likely test the open waters as an unrestricted free agent at the start of the new league year.
“Everybody looking at him knows that he’s got a tremendous high end,” Carroll continued. “He’s a great worker and he’s a well-conditioned guy and I think he’s going to be really at the top of his game again this season.”
“It’s an exciting time for him, I’m hoping the very best for all of it, whatever happens. It will be exciting to watch and see what he does.”
With no new deal in place, Thomas will become an unrestricted free agent on March 13.
