It has been quite some time since we have heard anything about former NFL safety Earl Thomas, but Friday has brought us an update that certainly has the NFL world talking.
Thomas has not played in the NFL since the 2019-2020 NFL season, starting in 15 games for the Baltimore Ravens. He is most well known for being the backbone of the vaunted “Legion of Boom” defense for the Seattle Seahawks.
There were rumors that Thomas would get signed by the Dallas Cowboys for the 2020-21 NFL season, but nothing ever came of it.
According to NFL insider Adam Schefter, Thomas is finally ready to make a return to the NFL.
“I’m ready,” Thomas texted Schefter Friday morning. “I’m in shape. My timing is on point – I’m proud of that.”
Former seven-time Pro-Bowl safety Earl Thomas, who last played for Baltimore in 2019 and who turns 33 in May, said today that he wants to resume his NFL career this season. “I’m ready,” Thomas texted. “I’m in shape. My timing is on point – I’m proud of that.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 22, 2022
Thomas is only 32 years of age, so there could be presumably plenty left in the tank should an NFL team decide to take a chance on him going forward.
This news has many around the NFL world excited to see the seven-time Pro-Bowler possibly make his return for the 2022 NFL season.
When the details came out about Earl Thomas… that was a Top 5 day on Twitter dot com
— lindsey ok (@lindseyyok) April 22, 2022
If Earl Thomas makes a return, I’d watch out for the Eagles. I could see the “city of brotherly love” being a good fit for him. https://t.co/RfuZ17gaYn
— Tyler Jones (@TylerJonesLive) April 22, 2022
Good for Earl. Hope he can come back and finish his career like he should have. https://t.co/NVbg6W0ZDE
— Anthony Sontoya (@ZapatosFrescos) April 22, 2022
ummmm https://t.co/ftvwvoiH2u
— Blogging The Boys (@BloggingTheBoys) April 22, 2022
It remains to be seen if Thomas can be a useful piece still in the NFL.
Much like the Colin Kaepernick situation, Thomas has been out of the NFL for multiple seasons now, and teams may be reluctant to take a chance on giving him any sort of valuable role on their roster.
It is also worth noting that the Ravens released him in 2020 due to “detrimental conduct to the team,” where it was reported that he punched fellow safety Chuck Clark in practice, which also may not help his cause in making an NFL return.
About Reice Shipley
Reice Shipley is a staff writer for Comeback Media that graduated from Ithaca College with a degree in Sports Media. He previously worked at Barrett Sports Media and is a fan of all things Syracuse sports.