The San Francisco 49ers might not be able to land impending free agent safety Earl Thomas if the Dallas Cowboys get involved in the bidding.
49ers cornerback Richard Sherman said on Wednesday that his team's interest in Thomas is real, but the favorites to land the safety are the Cowboys. He also said it would take a lot of money to acquire the three-time first-team All-Pro.
"If you go into free agency and say, 'Hey, we offer Earl Thomas $7 million,' it doesn't matter how much I recruit or how much you say," Sherman said via Bay Area News Group. "If finances make sense, then I'd say we're a major player in it if everything aligns the right way."
The 49ers can open a dialogue with Thomas' representatives on March 11 and officially begin signing free agents two days later.
"Now if Dallas is a player in it, I'm not going to lie, he's going to go Dallas," Sherman added. "That's his home. If the money is equal, if all things are equal, he's going to Dallas."
#49ers Richard Sherman says interest is there for Earl Thomas to reunite with him, adds that #Cowboys are favorite if money is same — and expect lot of money
— Cam Inman (@CamInman) February 27, 2019
A candid Richard Sherman on free agent safety Earl Thomas: 'If the money's equal, he's going to Dallas.' But he expects the #49ers to be a clear option. Called SF an 'easy fit' for the All-Pro.
— Chris Biderman (@ChrisBiderman) February 27, 2019
Thomas has made it clear that he wants to play for the Cowboys. He is in Austin, Texas where he and his wife enrolled their children in school. Thomas grew up a fan of the Cowboys and even told head coach Jason Garrett after a game in 2017, "If y'all have the chance, come get me."
The Seattle Seahawks made Thomas, who played college football at Texas, the No. 14 overall pick in 2010. He registered 22 combined tackles, five passes defensed, and three interceptions through four starts with the Seahawks in 2018. Thomas has recorded 664 combined tackles, 68 passes defensed, 28 interceptions, two touchdowns, and 10 forced fumbles through nine NFL seasons.