There’s a new highest-paid safety in the NFL.
PFT has confirmed Ian Rapoport of NFL Network’s report that Earl Thomas agreed to a four-year, $40 million extension -- a five-year, $44.75 million deal with his 2014 salary included -- with the Seahawks on Monday. Rapoport also reported that $27.775 million of that $40 million is guaranteed. Saints safety Jairus Byrd and Chiefs safety Eric Berry are next on the list when it comes to base salaries and Byrd got a bit less guaranteed money when he signed with New Orleans.
For all intents and purposes, it also makes him the best-paid defensive back on a multi-year deal. Darrelle Revis’ package with the Patriots has multiple years, but there aren’t many who expect Revis to be with the Patriots on the same deal for the 2015 season.
That won’t be the case with Thomas, who is set up to be a starter in Seattle through 2018 thanks to this deal. If those years are anything like the ones Thomas has already turned in for the Seahawks, he’ll be one of the best players in franchise history when his career comes to a close.
With Thomas signed, attention will shift to how long cornerback Richard Sherman will join him in the secondary. Sherman is likely next up on the Seahawks’ extension list as he enters the final year of his rookie deal.