SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Salk: Would I trade Earl Thomas for a 1st and a 3rd? It’s time

Mar 16, 2018, 5:00 AM

The Seahawks are reportedly looking for a trade partner for All-Pro safety Earl Thomas. (AP)...

The Seahawks are reportedly looking for a trade partner for All-Pro safety Earl Thomas. (AP)

(AP)

Would I trade Earl Thomas for a first-round and a third-round draft pick?

Yes and heck yes. It’s time.

But I understand that this one will be harder than trading Michael Bennett or releasing Richard Sherman, because this one requires doing it before you have to.

Huard: Ndamukong Suh would be worth breaking the bank for Seahawks

This is the lesson that Bennett, Sherm, Kam Chancellor, Felix Hernandez and others should have taught us in Seattle. That doesn’t make it easy, but sometimes you let a player go too early – in all sports. Randy Johnson sure comes to mind with the Mariners, but I think it happens less in football.

The case against Earl: he’s suffered injuries the last two years, has only two picks in each of those last two seasons and just one forced fumble over that time. And while he is still fast and awesome, the eye test says he’s made fewer game-changing plays. Earl wants to get paid, has threatened to hold out and has publicly walked into another locker room and asked that team’s coach to come get him.

The case for Earl: He is still one of the best safeties in the game. He’s not quite old yet. And he plays as hard as anyone.

The irrelevant: Saying he is “irreplaceable.” Sorry, that designation if for QBs only. There is always another way to skin the cat in the NFL.

O’Neil: Why the Seahawks have been so quiet in free agency

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks Tremayne Anchrum Jr....

Brent Stecker

Seahawks add Tremayne Anchrum Jr to O-line in free agency

The Seattle Seahawks have made guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr. their third signing to the offensive line in free agency.

3 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Jerome Baker LB linebacker...

Brent Stecker

Huard: What Seahawks’ new LBs do better than Wagner, Brooks

The Seattle Seahawks have replaced Jordyn Brooks and Bobby Wagner with Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker. Brock Huard compares the two different duos.

6 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks Pharaoh Brown...

Brent Stecker

GM Schneider believes Seahawks have ‘great fit’ in new TE combo

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider explains why he likes returning tight end Noah Fant and new signing Pharaoh Brown together.

19 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks George Fant...

Brent Stecker

What GM Schneider says plan is for Seahawks’ returning OL Fant

George Fant returns to the the Seattle Seahawks after four years as a starter for two other teams. So what's in store for him in 2024?

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft brock Bowers...

Brandon Gustafson

Analyst says Georgia TE Bowers ‘makes perfect sense’ for Seahawks

NFL Network's Bucky Brooks shares why he likes the idea of the Seattle Seahawks taking Georgia tight end Brock Bowers in the NFL Draft.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Jerome Backer free agency...

Brandon Gustafson

Seahawks sign linebacker Jerome Baker to 1-year deal

The Seattle Seahawks have another new linebacker joining the mix in Jerome Baker, who spent the last six years with the Dolphins.

2 days ago

Salk: Would I trade Earl Thomas for a 1st and a 3rd? It’s time