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Earl Thomas holding out: 5 reasons he’s smart to hold out from Seattle Seahawks camp

By George Stockburger

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 07: Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks stands on the field prior to the NFC Wild Card game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions at CenturyLink Field on January 7, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 07: Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks stands on the field prior to the NFC Wild Card game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions at CenturyLink Field on January 7, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 23: Free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 23: Free safety Earl Thomas #29 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 23, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

5. He knows he’s too important

Earl Thomas is one of the best players in the NFL, and he knows it. He also knows the Seahawks, who have already lost Michael Bennett, Richard Sherman, and Kam Chancellor this offseason, can’t win without him.

So Seattle, what is a winning football team worth to you? Is it worth paying the best safety in football like he’s the best? In sports we toss a few million dollars here and there like it’s nothing, but it’s a significant chunk of change.

Thomas can’t go into camp without his next contract locked in with guaranteed money protecting himself and his family going forward. One wrong step, one hit, or one missed turn on the highway could cost him his career, and that’s not worth attending a training camp for.

Next: The Greatest Trade For Every NFL Team In History

So while Seattle prepares for next season, it may be without their best defender, who is doing it for all the right reasons.

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