The Seattle Seahawks can fine Earl Thomas more than $1 million for the amount of time he has missed this offseason, but the All-Pro safety has still given no indication that he is on the verge of returning to work. While that likely frustrates the team, Thomas’ teammates have expressed support for him.
On Wednesday, star linebacker Bobby Wagner told reporters Thomas’ holdout is about nothing more than the “business side” of football. He said he wishes Thomas was with the team in advance of the regular season, but he understands his motivation for staying home.
“I think you see it a lot right now, from the defensive side,” Wagner said, per Gregg Bell of The News Tribune. “You have amazing players that are not getting paid, are not getting the money. And I think at some point you have to make a stand.”
Wagner said the game is becoming more and more difficult for defenders with changes like the controversial new helmet rule, so he believes that is more the reason defensive players should “stand their ground” with contract negotiations.
One star player on the other side of the ball also supports Thomas during his holdout.
“This is our livelihoods, and everything else,” quarterback Russell Wilson said last week. “This isn’t just … it is fun, and it is games. But it’s not just fun and games, if that makes sense. It’s real life.”
Thomas has been linked to one team in particular since last season, but it does not seem like the Seahawks have any intention of trading him. He’s set to make $8.5 million in 2018, so skipping regular season games would cost the 29-year-old a boatload of money.
