Some believed that the Dallas Cowboys might not be able to afford the cost of signing impending free agent safety Earl Thomas. That may not be the case.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is reporting (via our friend Dylan DeSimone of Fouth and Nine) that the Cowboys are "by no means out" on Thomas, which means the San Francisco 49ers might face a bidding war if they want to sign the All-Pro safety.
Well, @RapSheet on NFL Network saying that the Cowboys are "by no means out" on Earl Thomas. So, the 49ers might have to win a bidding war.
— Dylan DeSimone (@DylanADeSimone) March 10, 2019
Thomas reportedly seeks to become the highest-paid safety in the NFL. Right now, that honor belongs to Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs who earns an average salary of $13 million per year.
NFL teams can begin negotiating with the representatives of impending free agents on Monday and can sign free agents at the start of the new league year on Wednesday.
Update: Below is what Rapoport had to say about Thomas on NFL Network.
"My understanding is that [the Cowboys] are by no means out on this at all," Rapoport said. "I do believe the Rams would have been interested but they, of course, signed Eric Weddle a couple of days ago. Several other teams are going to be interested in Thomas, as well."
Rapoport continues by adding that, unlike last year, the free agent safety market could see significant interest this offseason.
The free agent market for safeties is gonna be strong... pic.twitter.com/sTk10BFrwi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 10, 2019
