NFL Trade Rumors: Cowboys, Chiefs Had Interest In Earl Thomas Before Seahawks' Star Got Hurt

Earl Thomas saw his season end Sunday when he suffered a broken leg in the Seattle Seahawks’ 20-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The safety has likely played his last game as a Seahawk since he’ll be a free agent in 2019, though he might’ve finished the 2018 NFL season with another team if he hadn’t gotten hurt.

Thomas found himself in trade rumors during last offseason when he was entering the final year of his contract. The Dallas Cowboys appeared to be a possible destination for the All-Pro during his preseason holdout, and the Kansas City Chiefs also got involved in trade discussions with Seattle.

According to Yahoo Sports’ Terez Paylor, the Chiefs and Seahawks were “inching closer toward a deal” before Week 4’s games were played. Nothing was imminent, but had Thomas remained healthy, there might’ve been a good chance for him to join Kansas City before the Oct. 30 trade deadline.

Through three games, Kansas City looks like one of the top Super Bowl contenders in the NFL. Some sportsbooks have even given them the same championship odds as the New England Patriots because of how dominant their offense has been. Patrick Mahomes set a record with 13 touchdowns in the first three weeks, and the Chiefs are undefeated with a league-leading 39.3 points per game.

If anything is going to hold Kansas City back this season, it’s going to be a defense that’s been below average. Only the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have allowed more yards per play than the Chiefs.

Adding a perennial Pro Bowler like Thomas certainly would’ve improved the defense. The Chiefs could’ve paired him with five-time Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry, who could soon return from a heel injury.

Shortly before Thomas suffered his injury, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Seahawks wouldn’t budge from their asking price of a 2019 second-round draft pick in exchange for the safety. According to Schefter, Seattle declined Dallas’ offer of a second-rounder in the preseason, and Kansas City wanted Thomas at a cheaper price.

Thomas has 22 tackles, three interceptions and five passes defensed this season. He’s made the Pro Bowl in six of the last seven seasons.