On Sunday morning, Adam Schefter broke the news that the Baltimore Ravens have decided to move on from Pro Bowl S Earl Thomas for conduct detrimental to the team. Schefter noted that the Ravens would attempt to trade Thomas but if that does not happen, he will be released.
Thomas, who was sent home on Friday after punching fellow Ravens safety Chuck Clark, was selected to the Pro Bowl following the 2019 season.
Ravens are moving on from Pro Bowl S Earl Thomas today, sources tell ESPN. They either will release him for conduct detrimental to the team – punching S Chuck Clark – or trade him. Dallas is the leading contender if he’s released, per sources. But his time in Baltimore is over. pic.twitter.com/eJeTuHD1mI
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2020
Of course, some Detroit Lions fans immediately took to social media to discuss the possibility of trading for Thomas.
Now, in a vacuum, Thomas is a very good player who would make the Lions secondary better but there is more to it.
If the Lions were to trade for Thomas, they would also take on his contract, which includes cap hits of $15 million in 2020, $16 million in 2021, and $17 million in 2022 ($5 million each year is part of his signing bonus) though that could be reworked to help facilitate a deal.
Any team that trades for Earl Thomas also would be trading for his contract, though he could rework it to help facilitate a trade. Talks have been ongoing through the weekend but no deal so far. Either way he will not return to Baltimore. https://t.co/ZjJgn4fcUk
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 23, 2020
So, should Lions GM Bob Quinn attempt to trade for Earl Thomas?
In my opinion, Quinn should look the other way and let Thomas land where he lands. Sure, he is a good player, but at 31 years of age, he is no longer great. The bottom line is that there is more risk than reward in this case, especially when it comes to his fit in the Lions locker room.
