Report: Seahawks “Top Priority” Is To Lock Up S Earl Thomas This Offseason

Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports the Seattle Seahawks “top priority” this offseason is to re-sign S Earl Thomas to a long-term extension.

• Rapoport adds that CB Richard Sherman may elect to wait on an extension depending on the amount of available cap space.

Thomas, 24, triggered a $900,000 base salary escalator this season, which means he will make $4.625 million for the 2014 season. However, he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract and would probably break the bank if he were to hit the open market.

Seattle has a number of players to address in the coming years, so they will need to balance the amount of future salary they take on while saving enough to address QB Russell Wilson, who is also due for a big raise in the next few years.

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.