As it should be, Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas is now the highest-paid player at his position in the NFL after agreeing to a four-year, $40 million extension with a whopping $27.5 million guaranteed. Thomas, a Pro Bowler in each of the last three seasons and All-Pro in the last two years, is arguably the top defensive player on the most dominating unit in the league.
As @RapSheet said, four years, $40 million with $27m+ gtd for Thomas. That's in NEW $ in addition to the $4.725m he's owed this year.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) April 28, 2014
With a ton of young players set to receive extensions, it made sense that Thomas would be the first chip to fall. He was set to become a free agent after the 2014 season and deserved to be paid like the truly elite defender that he is.
Prior to Thomas’ extension, Jairus Byrd, who signed with the New Orleans Saints this offseason, was the highest-paid safety in terms of annual salary at $9 million per year and guaranteed salary at $26.3 million.
At $10 million per season, Thomas may handcuff the Seahawks’ ability to retain some other youngsters.
Cliff Avril, James Carpenter, Doug Baldwin, K.J. Wright, Richard Sherman, Byron Maxwell and Malcolm Smith are all set to become free agents following the 2014 season. In addition to this, Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner will be free agents following the 2015 season.
As is the case with every elite team in the NFL, general manager John Schneider and Co. are going to have to make some difficult decisions. As long as they’re able to keep the core together, this team will continue to contend for a Super Bowl on a consistent basis. It’s now going to be about finding replacements for the role players, such as Wright, Baldwin and Maxwell.
Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA Today