As expected, Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas was not at the team’s first practice for mandatory minicamp as he holds out for a new contract. Carroll, who previously said he expected to see Thomas at camp, was understandably not happy with the whole situation, as he told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero:
“I’m just disappointed that he’s not here and all that. But we’ll let it play itself out.”
And when asked whether he expects Thomas to be a member of the Seahawks this year, Carroll replied, “I’m hoping so. He’s under contract.”
Thomas, who is in the final year of his deal with Seattle, will earn a base salary of $8.5 million this season but is hoping to become the highest-paid safety in the league with his next contract. By skipping the three-day mandatory minicamp, he stands to get fined $84,000.
Thomas has also not been present during the other parts of the team’s offseason program. At this rate, it seems as if Thomas will be willing to hold out until training camp if needed in order to gain more security with his long-term future — whether it's in Seattle or elsewhere. Thomas seemingly has the support of his Seahawks teammates, who understand his situation.
Rumors have swirled all offseason long about the Dallas Cowboys’ potential interest in the All-Pro safety. There haven’t been any new developments since after the draft, but perhaps Thomas’ holdout could pressure the Seahawks into considering a deal with Dallas if they don’t intend to retain Thomas on the terms he’s asking for.
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