Once again, Thomas is a better player than Iloka. But is Thomas at $11 million per year more valuable than, say, Iloka at $5 million, another veteran starter at $5 million and a second-round pick at $1 million? That's a harder question to answer, but it is one that the Seahawks are forcing the Cowboys to consider. The line in the sand that Seattle seems to have drawn is a second-round pick. They do not seem interested in moving Thomas for less, even as they prepare for a rebuilding season in which they may not have Thomas for more than 10 games. Their best trading partner just gained significant leverage thanks to Iloka's release, and no other contender seems to need a star safety desperately.
To put it plainly, if Seattle were going to cave on a Thomas trade, it would be now. Thomas has held firm on his threat to skip camp. The Cowboys have held firm on their stance not to surrender a second-round pick. And the Bengals have given them a viable alternative without trade strings attached. But if Watkins is right, and the Seahawks are still unwilling to budge, then you might as well close the book on a possible Thomas trade once and for all. If all of this doesn't get them to trade him to Dallas, nothing will.
https://247sports.com/nfl/dallas-co...B-37-C0-03-8D-3F-87180820_175913DallasCowboys