Seahawks news: Pete Carroll says team 'counting on Earl Thomas'

The future of Earl Thomas with the Seattle Seahawks remains uncertain with talk of his possible departure. Despite the rumors, head coach Pete Carroll says the team is counting on him.

Since the end of the 2017 NFL season, there has been much chatter surrounding the long-term future of All-Pro safety Earl Thomas, who is set to enter the final year of his four-year, $40 million deal. The Seattle Seahawks have continued to waver back and forth between deciding whether he will continue to remain a centerpiece to the defense.

According to Dave Mahler of Sportsradio 950 KJR, head coach Pete Carroll voiced that the Seahawks are counting on Thomas to be a major part of their secondary for the 2018 NFL season.

Carroll on Earl Thomas: "He's a Seahawk. I dont know what everyones talking about." Asked Pete if he expects Earl at camp in July: "Heck yeah. he better be there. He's on the roster. We're counting on him."

— Dave “Softy” Mahler (@Softykjr) April 19, 2018

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. He has been a cornerstone defensively for the Seahawks as a key part of their vaunted “Legion of Boom.” Thomas is also coming off another highly productive campaign where he registered 88 tackles with a pair of interceptions and a forced fumble and seven pass deflection.

The Seahawks appear to be set on Thomas staying put for the time being on the roster going through training camp and likely preseason. However, if the team was to struggle next season prior to the trade deadline, the things could become quite busy in trade talks in order for the team to avoid being left empty-handed if the 28-year-old were to depart in free agency next March.

What could something else to watch is the draft later this month as Thomas' name has been tossed around as a possible trade asset with the Seahawks looking to acquire additional selections. It has gotten quiet on that end, but if the Seahawks were to make him available that discussion could pick up once again. Despite Carroll now voicing his commitment to Thomas, this remains a fluid situation in Seattle.