The Baltimore Ravens released former All-Pro safety Earl Thomas on Sunday for conduct detrimental to the team. The move follows a rocky weekend where Thomas blew coverage in practice and allegedly punched fellow safety Chuck Clark.
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson took to Twitter to express his surprise at the release of Thomas, who is also represented by the same agency that represents Watson, Athletes First.
“Surprised the Ravens releases by guy @Earl_Thomas,” Watson wrote. “Hearing all the noise but Earl’s always been someone I can rely on when I had questions and I have nothing but respect for him. Cant’ wait to see where he lands.”
Surprised the Ravens released my guy @Earl_Thomas . Hearing all the noise but Earl’s always been someone I can rely on when I had questions and I have nothing but respect for him. Can’t wait to see where he lands.
— Deshaun Watson (@deshaunwatson) August 23, 2020
Ahead of the Texans’ Week 11 showdown with the Ravens last year, Thomas contacted Watson and visited with him, even though their teams were about to play each other in a consequential AFC battle between two division leaders.
“He FaceTimed me Monday, and I told him I was in meetings,” Watson told reporters on Nov. 13, 2019. “Like, ‘I’m preparing right now to play against you.’ But yeah, it’s a family, especially in the group of circle and my agent and the clients that he has. We have family ties, and we’re very supportive of one another and when we play against each other, we compete.”
Thomas’ tenure in Baltimore had its moments of locker room conflicts and off-field issues. Thomas and defensive tackle Brandon Williams got into a significant quarrel after the club’s loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 4 last season. Then, Thomas had an altercation with his wife in the offseason.
Where Thomas lands remains to be seen, but the reality is the Texans will not have to face the Super Bowl champion when they host the Ravens in Week 2. On Nov. 17, 2019, Thomas had just one tackle in his 56 defensive snaps played against Houston in the 41-7 beat down at M&T Bank Stadium.
