Dallas Cowboys: Earl Thomas trade window still open

Although the Dallas Cowboys were unable to get a trade for Earl Thomas done during the draft, the All-Pro safety might still be had.

The Dallas Cowboys will enter minicamp this week. The three-day event is the first mandatory practice sessions for the Cowboys this year before they take an extended break and training camp kicks off in late July. Despite being well into their offseason, Dallas will enter minicamp with questions surrounding their safety position.

If the regular season started today, the Cowboys would likely start longtime special teams ace Jeff Heath at strong safety and 2017 sixth round pick Xavier Woods at free.

Heath posted a strong second half performance last season, his first year to start at safety in Dallas. The 27-year old recorded 71 total tackles, five pass defends and led the team with three interceptions.

As for Woods, the 22-year old posted 42 combined tackles, three pass defends and a interception during his rookie season. But he also played mostly in the slot last year. Although the Cowboys seem confident Woods is capable of being a starter this upcoming season, he is clearly not their preferred choice.

That was made evident when Dallas reportedly floated the idea of trading the Seattle Seahawks their third round pick during the 2018 NFL Draft in April for All-Pro safety Earl Thomas. When the Cowboys did not hear back from Seattle, they used that selection to take Colorado State wide receiver Michael Gallup instead.

It was believed the Seahawks would have taken the Cowboys second round pick for Thomas, but Dallas believed Texas offensive lineman Connor Williams was a much more important acquisition for their roster.

Following the draft, the trade window for Thomas seemed all but closed. The 29-year old is scheduled to make a whopping $8.5 million this upcoming season and he is in the final year of his current deal in Seattle. There seemed to be no reason to think the Seahawks wouldn’t simply let the scenario play itself out and field themselves a six-time Pro Bowler for yet another season.

Last year, the Texas native recorded 88 tackles, seven pass defends, two interceptions and a defensive touchdown in 14 games, earning himself second team All-Pro honors and yet another Pro Bowl nod.

But Thomas isn’t playing ball. The veteran safety released a statement on Sunday confirming he is holding out. The eight-year veteran will not be attending minicamp this week or any team activities until he receives a contract extension. Thomas simply feels uncomfortable playing without knowing his future is secure.

This move by Thomas suddenly reopens the window for the Dallas Cowboys to make a move for him once again. The Cowboys certainly have a need for a former Super Bowl champion like Thomas, with a second-year player currently slated to start at free safety. He would add some much needed talent and experience to a very young secondary in Dallas.

And the Cowboys have the monies to make such a move happen, with the unexpected retirement of tight end Jason Witten and releases of both wide receiver Dez Bryant and cornerback Orlando Scandrick opening up ample salary cap space.

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The main question now is: What will it take to pry Earl Thomas out of the grasp of the Seattle Seahawks? At one time it was believed they wanted a first round selection to do so. With this latest news, has the price tag dropped? Stay tuned.