Perhaps no player on the 2019 Seattle Seahawks has been more polarizing than free safety Tedric Thompson.
Thompson was given the extremely unenviable task of replacing Earl Thomas, a future Hall of Fame safety who played his final game with the Seahawks in Week 4 of the 2018 season.
Thompson started 10 games after Thomas’ departure, and had his ups and downs – as any young player would having to fill those shoes.
He had a really rough first game this season however, and had many fans clamoring for him to be replaced – either by Lano Hill or rookie Marquise Blair, a second round pick who played well in spurts during the preseason.
Thompson redeemed himself in a big way in Week 5 however, recording a game-sealing interception with just over 2:00 minutes remaining against the Rams in Seattle’s thrilling 30-29 victory.
That play is not only in contention for the interception of the year (at least so far) but is the kind of play that could turn around the career fortunes for the third-year safety.
“It’s good for him,” coach Pete Carroll commented on Friday. “Remember that coming out of college he was like the most productive playmaker on the passing game in the country. He’s a guy that’s got a history of making plays, making things happen. He’s always shown us that he’s got that knack. It hasn’t always shown up as much in the games, last year I didn’t think it did as much as I thought it would. I just think it’s a matter of time. He’s a very cerebral player. I think he’s going to feel more comfortable, it always helps confidence when you make a big play like that. I think he’ll continue to show us why he’s a good player.”
Thompson recorded seven interceptions and 16 passes defended his senior season at the University of Colorado, part of the reason Seattle made him a fourth round pick in the 2017 NFL draft.
Now, after getting a crucial play in one of the team’s most exciting games ever, perhaps Thompson’s best is yet to come in the rest of the 2019 season.
