It's pretty safe to say now that the San Francisco 49ers will not land Earl Thomas. The coveted impending free agent safety is about to be off the market.
Thomas will sign a four-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens worth up to $55 million with $32 million guaranteed, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Former Seahawks' S Earl Thomas intends to sign a four-year, $55 million deal that includes $32 million fully guaranteed at signing with the Baltimore Ravens, league source tells ESPN. Deal includes $22 million in first nine months.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2019
Thomas reportedly wanted to become the highest-paid safety in the NFL based on average salary. Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs once held that title earning an average of $13 million per season under his current contract. Thomas' new deal, at an average of $13.75 million, will surpass that.
The average salary Thomas will earn is less than two impending free agent safeties. Both Tyrann Mathieu and Landon Collins will sign new contracts paying them an average of $14 million per season. Thomas, however, will earn $22 million in the first nine months of his new deal.
Thomas, 29, is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time first-team All-Pro.
The Seattle Seahawks made Thomas, who played college football at Texas, the No. 14 overall selection in 2010. He registered 22 combined tackles, five passes defensed, and three interceptions through four starts with the Seahawks in 2018, which was cut short after the safety suffered a broken a bone in his left leg.
Thomas has recorded 664 combined tackles, 68 passes defensed, 28 interceptions, two touchdowns, and 10 forced fumbles through his nine NFL seasons.