Since the trade rumors around Seattle Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas began earlier this NFL offseason, the Dallas Cowboys have remained in the picture as a possible landing spot. Things have grown on this front with head coach Pete Carroll recently stated that the team is going to “count on” Thomas to be a significant part of their defensive game plan next season.

Article Continues Below
More Dallas Cowboys News
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa (97) reacts to sacking Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (not pictured) during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium.
Cowboys’ Osa Odighizuwa talks up new DC Matt EberflusRichard Pereira ·
image thumbnail
Cowboys’ Tyler Guyton makes brutally honest admission on 2024 performanceDouglas Fritz ·
Featured image Brian Schottenheimer
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer hits Dak Prescott with ‘developmental’ realityDylan Fine ·
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (14) looks on in the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium.
Cowboys’ CeeDee Lamb-George Pickens moment that fired up OTAsDouglas Fritz ·
Dallas Cowboys Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer speaks to the media at a press conference at the Star.
Cowboys’ Brian Schottenheimer gives lineman his flowersDouglas Fritz ·
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (11) walks onto the field during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium.
Brian Schottenheimer gives Micah Parsons’ voluntary Cowboys OTAs status updateBen Strauss ·

Meanwhile, the Cowboys haven't necessarily shut down the conversation around Thomas but rather left the door open to him joining the team at some point down the line. According to Chris Wesseling of NFL.com, the Cowboys are considering waiting until next offseason to acquire Thomas if he becomes a free agent.

“Try as he might, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll can't make the Earl Thomas trade rumors disappear. Although the home-state Cowboys have been the team most connected to the All-Pro safety, NFL Network's Jane Slater suggested the team might opt to wait a year before pursuing Thomas in free agency. Considering the cost in salary and draft capital — Seattle's asking price is reportedly a first- and third-round pick — a draft-day trade no longer seems likely for Thomas.”

The 28-year-old is currently in the final year of his four-year, $40 million deal that has put his long-term future at the forefront of the franchise. All of this reported interest in the Cowboys stems from his actions following a late regular-season win over that saw him tell head coach Jason Garrett that he wants Dallas to pursue him.

Despite nagging injuries, Thomas is still producing at an elite level where he recorded 88 total tackles with a pair of interceptions, a forced fumble, and seven pass deflection. Through his first eight years in the league, Thomas had developed the reputation as being one of the premier safeties in the NFL with six Pro Bowl selections, three First-Team All-Pro nods, and two Second-Team All-Pro selections.

The longer this situation lingers on between both sides, the greater the possibility that Thomas could find his way to Dallas next offseason.