5 free-agent safeties the Minnesota Vikings could sign in 2021
By Chris Schad
Earl Thomas
When a front office duo feels the hot seat getting warmer, they tend to do some desperate things. With the chance that Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman will have a “playoffs-or-else” ultimatum, they might consider picking up the phone and giving Earl Thomas a call.
The upside with Thomas is that he is still one of the best safeties in the league. His 76.0 overall PFF grade ranked 12th out of qualifying safeties in 2019 and in PFF’s wins above replacement (WAR) formula, Harris ranked 10th in the NFL.
As a five-time Pro Bowler and a three-time All-Pro selection, Thomas definitely has the kind of upside the Vikings would be looking for. Unfortunately, there’s the off-the-field issues that have sent his career into a downward spiral.
Normally, the Vikings look for guys that fit the bill as “high-character.” Thomas’ altercation with his wife in April of 2020 and punching a teammate during training camp probably disqualifies him from consideration here — unless Minnesota is desperate.
Is the thought of adding Thomas next to Harrison Smith enough for the Vikings to ignore the red flags? Probably not. But if the $3.5 million price tag PFF projects to bring him aboard is accurate, Minnesota wouldn’t have much financial risk and could bail with an incentive-heavy deal.