Immediately after the release of Earl Thomas from Baltimore, eyes turned to Dallas.
The Cowboys have long been linked to the addition of the former All-Pro safety. Since Thomas told then-coach Jason Garrett, “If you have the chance, come pick me up,” on Dec. 24. 2017, the rumors are ongoing. Even when Baltimore signed Thomas for a final money period for big money, the links remained.
Garrett is no longer in the building to “get” Thomas now that he’s a free agent again. The man in that chair is Mike McCarthy.
The new Cowboys coach said Monday morning that while he was talking about Thomas with VP of player staff Will McClay, the Cowboys are happy with their current roster and safety position.
“The conversations I have been involved with – we had a chance to have an in-depth staff meeting two days ago – we are very confident in where we are as far as the 80-man roster,” McCarthy said. “What all perspectives are available are more interviews for Jerry (Jones), Stephen (Jones) and Will McClay, as far as I can see from that situation. That I have nothing really to report.”
McCarthy did not deny that his team is linked to Thomas and is on top of the most likely teams to sign the seven-time Pro Bowler. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the 49ers and Texans are also involved along with Dallas.
“I talked to both of them (Jerry and Stephen) about it. We talk about everything,” he said. “We read the news too. You might not think we’re reading your boys’ articles or keeping up to date. We look at every situation. Player purchases take place 365 days a year.”
The Cowboys have currently slated Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and Xavier Woods as the starting safety nets. Adding a player like Thomas could certainly upgrade the unit, especially if the 31-year-old is motivated to prove he has not been washed.
One of the biggest questions is how Thomas would fit into the locker room, after Ravens veterans were apparently sided with Chuck Clark in the snare that eventually led to Thomas’ release.
