Safety Eric Reid agreed to a three-year contract worth just over $22 million to stay with the Carolina Panthers, Michael Silver of NFL.com reported today.
With Reid set to earn just over $7 million per season, it is all but certain that free agent safety Earl Thomas will command at least $10 million per year.
Thomas was originally hoping for roughly $14 million per season, which seems less likely thanks to his injury history. Still, Thomas is the superior player to Reid and should command a heftier payday.
Seattle is unlikely to re-sign Thomas after a lengthy holdout strained the relationship between the team and player, which culminated in a brief return to the field, a broken leg, and a rude gesture directed at Seattle’s sideline.
Coach Pete Carroll omitted Thomas from a list of current Seahawks that he would like to see re-signed next season, and considering his frayed relationship with the team and his high price tag, it is easy to see why.
Thomas was one of the greatest Seahawks in franchise history, and the Seahawks appear to have moved on at free safety with Tedric Thompson and Delano Hill.
