Tag: earl thomas traded

Report: Baltimore Ravens to move on from Earl Thomas

Earl Thomas’ time in Baltimore seems to be coming to an end. What is next for the safety and what are some potential landing spots?

Yesterday the Baltimore Ravens sent safety Earl Thomas home from training camp, following an altercation with fellow defensive back Chuck Clark. That led to questions about how the organization was going to handle the talented safety and rumors that the team might look to move on from him under the “conduct detrimental to the team” clause in his contract.

According to reports today, the situation might be coming to a head sooner rather than later, as ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports:

It remains to be seen how exactly his time in Baltimore will come to a close. As Schefter reports, the team might try and trade him. Although, if they cannot find a suitor for him – which might be possible given the current situation – the organization could simply release him outright.

Whenever a player of Thomas’ caliber becomes available, or at least potentially available, it becomes common to contemplate some potential landing spots. Schefter mentions the Dallas Cowboys as one possible team. The Cowboys lost safety Jeff Heath this offseason, as well as cornerback Byron Jones, and while they added Ha Ha Clinton-Dix in free agency that position group is a bit thing in Dallas.

Whenever a veteran player is available, people instantly think of Bill Belichick. The veteran head coach has taken on players like this before, and with the trade of Duron Harmon and the decision by Patrick Chung to opt-out of the 2020 season due to concerns over COVID-19, the New England Patriots do have a need at safety. They added Adrian Phillips this offseason, and rookie Kyle Dugger has impressed at camp, but given how often the Patriots use three safety packages Thomas could be appealing to Belichick. They do have Devin McCourty in place, and their skill-sets overlap as both are best in free safety mold, but one can be sure Belichick would find a role for Thomas if he were inclined to acquire the safety.

Another team to watch is the Miami Dolphins. After trading Minkah Fitzpatrick the organization is looking to Bobby McCain and Eric Rowe as their safeties heading into 2020. Rowe is a converted cornerback who made the move to safety after the team added Jones and drafted Noah Igbinoghene this spring. McCain spent most of his time at free safety in 2019, but has also played in the corner as well as down in the box during his time in the NFL.

Finally, there is the Washington Football Team. Sure, it has been a tumultuous offseason in the nation’s capital, but Washington is looking at a safety pairing of Landon Collins and Sean Davis for the year ahead, with minimal depth behind them. Davis was used at both corner and safety during his time in Pittsburgh, and the team could potentially slid him back to cornerback if they acquire Thomas.