NFL Free Agency: Earl Thomas Earns Massive Contract With The Ravens
It there were any free-agent NFL player on the market this March that earned a huge contract, it certainly was former Seattle Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas.
Mere hours prior to the league year opening on Wednesday, the six-time Pro Bowler signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the deal gives Thomas $32 million in full guarantees while paying him out $22 million over the first nine months.
Talk about striking it rich. A first-round pick of the Seahawks back in 2010, Thomas has been the NFL’s best free safety over the course of his nine-year career. In addition to his six Pro Bowl appearances, the Texas product has earned All-Pro honors three times throughout his career.
Thomas, 29, did miss all but four games this past season after suffering a broken leg. That obviously didn’t limit his market one bit. The future Hall of Famer has recorded 67 passes defended, 28 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles throughout his career.
Even at his relatively advanced age, Thomas remains the best cover safety in the game. His range likely won’t be impacted too much by last season’s injury.
In the four games that Thomas did play last season, Pro Football Focus graded him out as the game’s best safety.
Thomas’ career in Seattle came to a bitter end. He had held out throughout last summer in hopes of earning an extension. Once the safety suffered that lower-body injury, he made it clear that his time with the Seahawks was over.
While Seattle wasn’t willing to pay Thomas what he was worth, Baltimore certainly was. His contract is now on par with other top-flight safeties that have signed deals this March.
Three-time Pro Bowler Landon Collins completely reset the market with the six-year, $84 million deal he plans on signing with the Washington Redskins.
The former New York Giants second-round pick got a then-record $31 million fully guaranteed with $44.5 million in total guarantees. He’s also earning an NFL-best $14 million annually.
While not of the longer-term variety, Tyrann Mathieu cashed in to the tune of $42 million over three years with the Kansas City Chiefs. His average salary of $14 million ranks right there with Collins. That comes after he signed a one-year, $7 million prove-it deal with the Houston Texans last March.
Here’s how Thomas’ contract breaks down in comparison to other safeties in the NFL.
Total Cash: $55 Million (4th)
Average Salary: $13.75 Million (3rd)
Fully Guaranteed: $32 Million (1st)
Total Guarantees: $32 Million (3rd)
From a Ravens perspective, this is a major get. The team had previously released fellow future Hall of Famer Eric Weddle prior to free agency. Thomas comes in younger and with a better body of work.
Earlier on Wednesday, it was noted that Baltimore will sign former Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram to a three-year, $15 million contract.
These are two major acquisitions for a team that will likely be competing with the Cleveland Browns for the AFC North title next season.
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