GREEN BAY, WI – SEPTEMBER 10: Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts after being beaten for a touchdown by Jordy Nelson #87 of the Green Bay Packers during a game at Lambeau Field on September 10, 2017 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won 17-9. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
The Cowboys aren’t shy about their desire to add help at safety, but team officials insist they aren’t in communication with the Seahawks about Earl Thomas.
At first glance, the Cowboys and Seahawks seem like ideal trade partners. Seattle doesn’t want to give safety Earl Thomas the contract he desires and Dallas has a huge hole at the position. Unfortunately for Cowboys fans who want to see Thomas patrol their defensive backfield, there is no momentum for a deal between the two teams.
Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones isn’t shy about telling the media that he’s looking for outside help. He claims the team is investigating ways to strengthen their options at safety and on the interior of the offensive line. When asked specifically about talks with the Seahawks about Thomas, he simply told reporters there haven’t been any discussions between the two teams “lately.”
Part of Dallas’ motivation to make a move is based on injuries at the position. Xavier Woods projects as their starter at free safety, but he’s likely going to miss the team’s opening game against the Panthers. Backup strong safety Kevon Frazier is also questionable for that game, although it looks like he’ll make it back in time.
That leaves Jeff Heath as the coaching staff’s only experienced option against Carolina. That’s obviously not an ideal scenario heading into a game against Cam Newton and company. The front office understands that the injury crisis should be over rather quickly. That’s one reason they aren’t willing to make a big move to acquire Thomas.
The rest of the Cowboys’ hesitation can be explained by the talented safety’s price tag. At 29, Thomas wants to cash in with one more big contract before his skills start to decline. Safety might be the least valuable position in the NFL at the moment. Like the Seahawks, the Cowboys would also be very hesitant to make Thomas one of the highest paid safeties in the league given his age.
In the end, the Cowboys are much more likely to make a minor move to increase their options at safety. It could come in the form of a minor trade, but it’s equally likely they will just wait to see if any solid options come available when teams trim their rosters down to 53. Don’t expect to see Thomas riding in to save Dallas anytime soon.