Earl Thomas wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys. This is known.
According to a report, there is mutual interest in a trade to facilitate that, with the Dez Bryant release being a potential catalyst. When Bryant was released, it freed up $8 million in cap space, which could be utilized to bring in Thomas, and sign him to the extension he desires.
“…the Cowboys have contacted the Seahawks about a potential draft trade,” writes Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Star-Telegram. But the Seattle asking price of a first- and third-round draft pick was too high. The Cowboys are holding out hope that their asking price goes down to maybe a second-round pick. And the $8 million cap space they saved by cutting Bryant could be used to pay Thomas, whose base salary for 2018 is a convenient $8.5 million.”
Hill also notes that the Cowboys might be hoping Thomas, a native Texan, would be interested in taking a hometown discount on a long-term deal. This scribe thinks that’s probably a bit far-fetched considering how much contract issues have meant to Thomas in the past. But it’s always a consideration, regardless.
Thomas played for the Texas Longhorns in college and has made no bones about wanting to play for the Cowboys. This is something to keep an eye on going forward, especially because Seattle has already started blowing things up and needs more draft capital to make moves for the future.