Cowboys free agency: All things being even, Earl Thomas prefers Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys is the preferred destination for free agent All-Pro safety Earl Thomas. But will America’s Team show him the respect he covets?
Christmas Eve, 2017. That’s the date of the Week 16 matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Seattle Seahawks. The Cowboys ended up losing that matchup, 21-12, ending their slim postseason hopes.
But that game will forever be remembered for a different reason. At the end of the game, Seattle safety Earl Thomas followed head coach Jason Garrett into the Cowboys’ locker room uttering those infamous words “come get me“.
And in 2018, Dallas tried to do exactly that. The team reportedly was in talks with the Seahawks about a possible trade for Thomas, especially during the draft. Unfortunately, the two sides were never able to find common ground on compensation. Demanding a contract extension or to be traded, Thomas sat out the entire offseason last year, waiting until the last minute to return. When he did, the six-time Pro Bowler vowed to remember the disrespect the Seahawks showed him.
Thomas’ regular season would end after only four games due to a broken leg. But the All-Pro would hang two interceptions on the Cowboys in Week Three before landing on Injured Reserve. Now, all signs point to Thomas hitting the free agent market next month. And Dallas is clearly the soon-to-be 30-year old’s preferred landing spot.
Former Seahawk teammate cornerback Richard Sherman, whom now plays for the San Francisco 49ers, confirmed as much to The Athletics Matt Barrows. Sherman is actively trying to recruit Thomas to sign with the Niners this offseason.
Just bumped into Richard Sherman who continues to recruit former teammate and soon-to-be FA Earl Thomas. Said the Cowboys will be very much in the mix and if offers are even Thomas will go to Dallas.
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) February 27, 2019
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There are a plethora of reasons Earl Thomas would likely prefer to play for the Dallas Cowboys. He’s a known die-hard fan of the team. He’s a native Texan. He played his college ball at the University of Texas. He recently enrolled his children in schools in Austin. And don’t forget that Texas has no state income tax.
But the one sticking point will be money. If Thomas feels disrespected by the Cowboys’ offer, the former Super Bowl winner can easily find greener pastures.