The top defensive player available in free agency has not wasted time in picking his next destination. Former Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas has decided to move on from the ‘Legion of Boom’ and join another team known for their defensive prowess.
Thomas is leaving Seattle to join the Baltimore Ravens on a four-year, $55 million contract.
Following comes from Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Former Seahawks’ S Earl Thomas intends to sign a four-year, $55 million deal that includes $32 million fully guaranteed at signing with the Baltimore Ravens, league source tells ESPN. Deal includes $22 million in first nine months.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
Thomas is just the latest sign of a new regime in Baltimore. Following the departure of general manager Ozzie Newsome, Baltimore moved on from some familiar faces. They traded away Joe Flacco and let Terrell Suggs walk away as a free agent. But the Ravens signing of Thomas is the first big splash for new GM Eric DeCosta.
Thomas, a 29-year-old six-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro, Super Bowl champion and potential future hall of famer is coming back off a season-ending injury suffered after the Seahawks didn’t trade him as he reportedly desired. The safety was seen getting carted off the field and flipping a middle finger to Seattle’s sideline.
But despite the messy exit, Thomas’ tenure in puts him in the discussion of not only one of the best safeties of his generation but possibly of all-time. In his first years with the Seahawks, Thomas posted silly per season averages of 3.1 interceptions, 7.75 pass deflections, 1.4 forced fumbles and 82.8 tackles. Just the consummate playmaker seemingly from the start of his career even up until his shortened 2018 season. In four games last year, Thomas snagged three interceptions, deflected five passes and racked up 22 total tackles. The Ravens hope they can get whatever might be left of Thomas’ prime.
