Seahawks S Thomas skips voluntary OTAs

Earl Thomas, who is seeking a new contract, was not at the Seattle Seahawks facility for the first of their voluntary organized team activities, multiple media outlets reported Monday. Thomas' absence was first reported by the NFL network and is not unexpected. Besides Thomas' desire for a new contract, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said earlier this month he was unsure when the All-Pro free safety would appear at the team's offseason program. Players are not required to attend until mandatory minicamp, which the Seahawks will conduct from June 12-14. Thomas is entering the final year of the four-year, $40 million extension he signed in 2014. When Thomas signed the deal, it ranked first among safeties in terms of annual average but now is ranked sixth, according to Sportac.com. Thomas, who turned 29 on May 7, is not expected to hold out into training camp. Seattle GM John Schneider also said the team's precedent of completing extensions with core players before they conclude their final contract seasons, does not apply to Thomas. Schneider said that is due to Thomas being on his second contract. After Seattle won in Dallas on Dec. 24, Thomas went to the Cowboys locker room and told coach Jason Garrett to "come get me". Thomas then clarified his comment to say he meant when Seattle "kicks me to the curb" Earlier Monday, Seattle middle linebacker Bobby Thomas concluded a radio interview with 710 ESPN Seattle with comments supporting Thomas. "Before we get off, I would like to take this time to shout out to Earl Thomas," Wagner told 710 ESPN Seattle. "I think he's an amazing player, I think he's an amazing person, he's a Hall of Famer, and just let him know that we're over here wishing for the best in that situation and we're thinking about him, and I just want him to know that from this end." Wagner's comments occurred two days after former Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman offer support for Thomas. Sherman was released by the Seahawks on March 10 and signed a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers the following day. "I think Earl Thomas deserves the money he's asking for," Sherman told NFL Network's Michael Robinson on Saturday. "I think he deserves to be compensated as the top safety in the league. Whether Seattle does that or not is up to them." Thomas has made 642 tackles, 25 interceptions and five fumble recoveries after being selected by the Seahawks with the 14th overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft out of Texas.