Seahawks Sign S Earl Thomas To Record Extension

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that the Seahawks have locked up S Earl Thomas to a “blockbuster” long-term contract.

• According to Rapoport, Thomas receives a four-year extension that will pay him a base value of $40 million and includes $27.725 million guaranteed.
• Rapoport adds that Thomas will now be the highest paid defensive back in the league on a multi-year contract.
• Tom Pelissero reports that the full value of Thomas’ contract is $4.625 million and just edges the annual salary of Jairus Byrd — $8.925 million t0 $8.75 million.

Reports from months ago suggested that locking Thomas up was the Seahawks top offseason priority.

However, reports surfaced last week that the Seahawks were closing in on a contract with CB Richard Sherman, which seemed to imply that Thomas may have to wait a little bit to be taken care of, but that obviously proved not to be the case.

Thomas, 24, was entering the final year of his rookie contract and was set to make $4.725 million for the 2014 season. He’ll now be under team contract through the 2018 season.

According to Pro Football Focus, Thomas ranks as the No. 9 safety in the league having displayed exception coverage skills this year. Thomas produced 105 tackles, five interceptions and two forced fumbles for the Seahawks defense this season.