Full transcript: After Seahawks’ win, Earl Thomas addresses trade rumors, missing practice

Earl Thomas missed two practices last week then went out and picked off two passes in Sunday’s Seahawks victory against Dallas.

Beautifully boring win | Recap | Instant Reaction | Photos | Stats

He answered questions afterward, and instead of trying to parse and summarize his statements, it’s best to read not just his answers but the questions he was responding to:

Q: Did you ever think – at any time this week – that this may have been your last game as a Seahawk today?

Thomas: Yeah. Of course. I heard chatter. People was coming up to me and saying that a trade might happen. Even pre-game, a couple of Cowboys coaches – I don’t know if they were trying to play psychological games – but they were like, ‘You ready for the trade tomorrow?’ But at the end of the day, man, I had a great time with the guys that I had been practicing with or I hadn’t been practicing, but the guys I had been around. It was just fun out there.

Q: Where is your mindset at right now? Do you feel like it was your last game as a Seahawk?

Thomas: I don’t know if it was, but I had a damn good time, and I go out like that if I have to.

Q: What did (Cowboys coach Jason) Garrett talk to you about? We saw you talk to him pre-game.

Thomas: Just small talk. Like, ‘What’s up?’ That’s it.

Q: Is there any part of you that is still hopeful that an extension can be worked out in Seattle. Or in your mind has that ship sailed.

Thomas: I just want to be appreciated. That’s it.

Q: And you don’t think you’re appreciated here by this organization?

Thomas: Then show me.

Q: Earl, did you get a sense the Cowboys coaches were serious or joking when they said that?

Thomas: I don’t know if they were joking or serious or not. I was minding my business, you know, in my routine and they came up and a couple of guys said something.

Q: Was (former Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris) Richard one of the guys?

Thomas: No.

Q: What was going on last week? You missed a couple of practices.

Thomas: Yeah, I need to make sure my body is 100. I’m invested in myself. Now, if they was invested in me, I’d be out there practicing, but if I feel like anything – and I don’t give a damn if it’s small, I got a headache – I’m not practicing. But I don’t want that to be taken the wrong way. I know I’m going to get fined, but that’s just where I’m at with that.

Q: Do you expect to get fined?

Thomas: I probably will. Definitely. They definitely will tax me.

Q: Have they told you that?

Thomas: I’m sure I’ll have a slip in my locker.

Q: Do you ever get concerned about the message that sends to the younger players?

Thomas: No. Because they know me. When we’re in the room it’s straight business, but they also know that I’m going to be me. I’m going to be free. I know who I am in this game. Especially this game, I’m not about to let anybody take advantage of my God-given ability.

Q: Earl, what do you say to the fans out there who are upset with you and say, ‘You have your contract and you should be out there every day busting your butt.’

Thomas: Right. That’s their mindset. Obviously, I put myself in this position, and I’m going to do what I want to do.

Q: Do you feel like you’ve showed your worth again with that performance out there? Not that you had to.

Thomas: I never have nothing to prove, but it was just great for the ball to come my way. Man, like I said, I’m enjoying the guys that I’m out there with. That’s the main thing that I’m worried about right now.

Q: In terms of coaches that think practice is a big deal …

Thomas: Practice is a big deal. Practice is a big deal. In my younger days, it made me who I am. I always practice hard, but I understand now, especially, I’m going to be careful with myself.

Q: Does that go for game play, too? Is there anything that you’re not doing out there that you think you would be doing if you had an extension or were getting appreciated?

Thomas: You know, the system wins. I love the system. I know it like the back of my hand. That’s why I can take a couple of practices off because I understand.

Q: I mean like in terms of contact. There’s nothing you’re holding back just for your own protection.

Thomas: I wouldn’t say that. I just try to get the ball carrier on the ground when I can.

Q: Talk about the bow, Earl. Was there a message there?

Thomas: I felt like that was just in the moment. And if they were going to trade for me and extend me, they would have did it.

Q: Are you hopeful – honestly – that a trade does get worked out? Is that your preference?

Thomas: I love Seattle. My family is here. I’m hopeful that these guys would call my agent, we’d work something out. But if not, I want to be taken care of.

Q: If you’re not taken care of with another extension?

Thomas: Let’s keep it moving.

Q: What do you mean keep it moving?

Thomas: Like I said, let’s keep it moving. Take my talents and we’re going to ball out.

More Seahawks news and analysis