First off, sports stars are prima dona's...but they do have market value and are upset when they are denied. Such as with Bell, in Pittsburgh, he had a point, and at his point in career, was being low balled by his team. Thomas flinched as did Bell in a similar situation.
You pay market value for talent in sports. In basketball, another sport but at the high dollar and professional level, top dollar is out of control. Oh, I enjoy watching, but that kind of money? That said, they get what the market can support.
The same will compare in the NFL...just our way of life now, in sport.
What I don't like seeing entering into the considerations, colusion among players trying to shape free agency itself...and pile up on a single team through personal agreements of stocking a particular team. That takes market considerations and fan loyalties out of the picture...
But this conversation is centered upon Thomas.
If bias is the attribute demonstrated, I call that straight up.
Six seasons without missing a game and a couple of injury seasons with injury. An abstract number 30, hasn't been demonstrated as the functional element with this player. He was top shelf for the four games that he played in this past season. He shined in the game against Dallas!
As to cap numbers, at the talked about contract range, he would not be receiving top contract money for a safety.
If one is going to talk....TALK.