In response to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter that veteran linebacker Zach Thomas will retire this week, agent Drew Rosenhaus says that Thomas will not be retiring.
Says Rosenhaus, via Twitter: “Zach Thomas is not retiring. He is progressing from his injury & he fully expects to have a great season with the Chiefs in 09.”
So what gives? Well, it might just be a matter of semantics. Schefter said that Thomas will retire or reach an injury settlement or be cut.
If Thomas retires, he gets no money. So, quite possibly, he might be digging in his heels in the hopes of a parting gift from the Chiefs.
Per NFLPA records, Thomas is due to receive a base salary of $1 million in 2009.