Free safety Earl Thomas, the final remaining cog in Seattle’s Legion of Boom, is set to become an unrestricted free agent when his contract expires Wednesday at the start of the new league year.
With the NFL’s negotiating period officially open, Thomas’ agent is likely shopping around the league. For Thomas, who has been seeking a long-term contract extension or trade since before last season, today must feel like Christmas morning.
According to NFL Network’s Jane Slater, Thomas not only wants a new deal (and new team) he also wants to be the highest-paid player at his position. Slater is reporting Thomas is seeking at a two-year contract to the tune of at least $14 million per year.
The Chiefs’ Eric Berry holds the honor of being the league’s top-paid safety, averaging roughly $13 million per season on the six-year contract he signed in 2017.
Thomas finished 2018 on injured reserve. At almost 30 years old, Thomas is arguably one of the best safeties in the league but he isn’t the only top-notch player available at the position.
Finding a suitor for Thomas should be easy, but finding one willing to make him the highest-paid safety in the league might prove challenging.
