So you thought we would get to the regular season before discussing Earl Thomas again? The Baltimore Ravens are reportedly moving on from Thomas, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The star safety has had issues with teammates this training camp, to the point in which he was sent home on Friday after fighting with teammate Chuck Clark on practice.
Ravens are moving on from Pro Bowl S Earl Thomas today, sources tell ESPN. They either will release him for conduct detrimental to the team – punching S Chuck Clark – or trade him. Dallas is the leading contender if he’s released, per sources. But his time in Baltimore is over. pic.twitter.com/eJeTuHD1mI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2020
According to CBS reporter Jason La Canfora, the Ravens’ leadership council told team decision-makers that they would actually prefer not having Earl Thomas on the team due to the situation and his conduct.
Some conflicting reports about the Dallas Cowboys’ interest in Thomas have emerged in the last few hours. While NFL Network’s Jane Slater reported on Saturday that the team hadn’t even discussed it.
But now, Adam Schefter is reporting the Cowboys are the “leading contenders” to go after him.
What sounds the most logical, is what Ian Rapoport is reporting on NFL Network. The trusted reporter is clarifying that the Dallas Cowboys are interested in targeting Thomas if he’s released, but not if they have to give something in return via trade.
From Inside Training Camp Live: A firm decision on S Earl Thomas is coming, and a release is likely, sources say. The #Cowboys aren't expected to trade for him, given the money. But when he's released? Expect real interest from Dallas. pic.twitter.com/aj9NcN5s3S
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 23, 2020
Regardless, it seems like the Cowboys-Thomas question isn’t the same as it was an offseason ago. Before, we were asking ourselves “is this really possible?” Now, after two teams have moved on from him in bad terms, the question seems to be “should they really get him?”
It’s not easy to be convinced about a player who’s had issues with his last two teams, but we know Thomas’ talent is special. We’ve seen players who leave teams on bad terms before shining on another one.
The Dallas Cowboys do not have a good situation at safety. Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is not the answer at the position and while there are some exciting young players like Xavier Woods, Darian Thompson, and Donovan Wilson, the truth is they’re going to have issues this season.
Not to mention, the cornerback room is also filled with question marks. How good will Trevon Diggs be as a rookie and how fast will he develop? Is Jourdan Lewis not as good as we hoped or were his talents wasted by the old coaching staff? How will Chidobe Awuzie fare in a contract year?
There’s not a weaker unit on the team other than the defensive backfield. The Cowboys are serious Super Bowl contenders. As such, it wouldn’t be the craziest thing in the world to go after Earl Thomas and get an All-Pro caliber player before the 2020 season.
