Should the Dallas Cowboys pursue safety Earl Thomas?

After an awkward exchange following Sunday’s loss to the Seattle Seahawks, should the Dallas Cowboys pursue safety Earl Thomas?

It’s safe to say that the Dallas Cowboys wanted to get out of AT&T Stadium as soon as possible and go home to their families following their gut-wrenching loss at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks Sunday afternoon. Being surrounded by some friendly faces is always preferred over the showers of boos this team received after their disappointing 21-12 loss to the Seahawks, which crushed the Cowboys’ dreams of a postseason berth.

So when a member of the opposing team comes walking into the locker room proclaiming his desire to play alongside you, I imagine the situation is best described as being a bit awkward. And that’s exactly what happen on Sunday, as Seahawk safety Earl Thomas followed head coach Jason Garrett into the Cowboys sacred locker room at the end of the game.

A native of Orange, Texas (east of Beaumont), an admitted long-time Cowboys fan and former Longhorn, Thomas expressed his desire to play in Dallas with Garrett. The Cowboys head coach later admitted he had no idea what was going on. A fellow representative of the Jordan brand, Thomas also paid his respects to wide receiver Dez Bryant while visiting the Cowboys’ lockers.

"“I’m in the prime of my career,” Thomas told the Dallas Morning News. “I still want to be here. But when Seattle kicks me to the curb, please Cowboys come get me. That’s the only place I’d rather be … I went to the locker room talked to Dez, Coach Garrett and I’ve always been a Cowboys fan growing up. The (Cowboys) — that’s the only place I’d rather be if I get kicked to the curb.”"

It appeared to be a very awkward, but bold move by the brash Thomas. Obviously, situational awareness says steer clear of the locker room after a devastating loss that just eliminated the team from playoff contention. But on the other hand, Thomas clearly wants to play in Dallas at some point in his career. And the 28-year old may have seen this as his only opportunity to express those desires.

At the very least, it plants a seed for Thomas in Dallas. Should the Cowboys pursue the six-time Pro Bowler this offseason? According to NFL.com, the Seahawks may look to trade the talented safety soon due to the fact he’ll be looking for a hefty contract extension. Thomas is heading into the final year of his current deal with Seattle in 2018, for which he’s being paid $8.5 million.

A former first round selection (14th overall) in the 2010 NFL Draft, Thomas has been considered one of the league’s top safeties for several seasons. And 2017 was no different, as the 5-foot-10, 202 pound all-around safety has recorded 82 total tackles, six pass defends, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown, earning himself yet another Pro Bowl nod.

Could the Cowboys use themselves as playmaker like Thomas in the secondary? Of course. But the price tag would be massive. Not only is he still under contract with Seattle, but Thomas is expected to garner a contract extension comparable to Kansas City Chiefs’ star safety Eric Berry, who inked a six-year, $78 million deal earlier this year.

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A player like Earl Thomas would instantly upgrade the Dallas Cowboys secondary over starting safeties Byron Jones and Jeff Heath. But Dallas also possesses some good, young talent at the position in Kavon Frazier and Xavier Woods. I’m not sure the upside of getting a player like Thomas would be worth the cost of a trade and a massive contract extension. The reality is not everyone who wants to play for the Cowboys gets to do so.