The Los Angeles Chargers have been named as a potential surprise suitor in the free agency sweepstakes to sign Earl Thomas.
The Seattle Seahawks are further dismantling their once vaunted Legion of Boom this offseason by allowing longtime pieces like safety Earl Thomas to leave in free agency. The Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys have long been linked to Thomas as primary suitors, but a new team has emerged as a surprise destination: the Los Angeles Chargers.
Dan Graziano of ESPN has word that the Chargers are interested in bringing in Thomas to play opposite Darwin James in their already excellent secondary. The addition of Thomas would certainly be a major boost for a team that was close to upsetting the Chiefs for the AFC West title. Graziano writes:
"More from Arrowhead AddictFormer Chiefs cornerback in legal trouble in Las VegasChiefs Kingdom: Get ready to break contract newsChiefs news: Travis Kelce wants to host fan ‘chug-off’ in GermanyPodcast: Breaking down the Chiefs biggest roster battlesKC Chiefs send Dave Merritt to NFL coaching acceleratorThey had some interest in Eric Weddle before he signed with the Rams, and while Thomas will cost a lot more than Weddle did, the Chargers could view him as the player that puts their stacked roster over the top."
The Chargers have already released Jahleel Addae from the secondary, and Jason Verrett, an oft-injured corner, will hit free agency as well, so there’s a bit of reinvention already happening in the Chargers’ secondary. Putting Thomas and James together would instantly give the Chargers the best safety tandem in the NFL.
The Chiefs were rumored to have a deal in hand ready to trade for Thomas when the Seahawks safety broke his leg earlier this year. The Chiefs were going all in to shore up the secondary at the time and it’s clear the team already vetted him as a potential addition at the time. Whether the Chiefs were interested in paying him for a new deal on the open market or trading for him as a short-term loan is uncertain, but rumors have kept the Chiefs in the mix.
As for the Cowboys, Thomas has made overtures for Jerry Jones to “come get me”. Given that Thomas is also from Texas, it makes sense that he would enjoy a homecoming with his final big NFL payday. The only question is whether or not the Cowboys are as interested or if they can make the finances work.