Cost savings begin: Seahawks about to release benched Tedric Thompson
The flip side of free agency is beginning for the Seahawks.
Paying for it.
The team is starting the process of clearing salary-cap and roster space for 2020 by releasing veterans. Seattle is about to cut safety Tedric Thompson, as expected, according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson.
The move will save the team $2.13 million off its 2020 cap. The Seahawks had $11.3 million in room entering Tuesday, per estimations from overthecap.com.
That does not include the one-year deal free agent wide receiver Phillip Dorsett just signed, nor whether three-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney decides to re-sign with Seattle or leave in the most protracted decision of this year’s NFL free agency period.
Thompson, 25, was about to enter the final year of his rookie contract Seattle gave him as its fourth-round draft choice in 2017 out of Colorado. He was first up to replace Earl Thomas as the Seahawks’ starting free safety last season, after the three-time All-Pro signed with Baltimore.
In his first game in the full-time job, Thompson mistimed his jump on a shot-putted pass from Cincinnati’s Andy Dalton. John Ross sprinted behind Thompson for a touchdown before Seattle narrowly escaped late with a win in its opener.
In October against Baltimore, coach Pete Carroll said it was inexcusable for his defense to give up a 50-yard pass from Lamar Jackson to Miles Boykin. Boykin was well behind Thompson on the game’s opening series. The play set up a Ravens field goal, the first of two field goals to which Seattle held Baltimore’s offense until the final 2 minutes of the third quarter of the Seahawks’ home loss that day.
“We made a big mistake early. Gave them a freebie down the field,” Carroll said.
“Just distasteful. I hate it, that we gave them that. There’s no way that should ever happen.”
That was about that for Thompson in Seattle. Days after he started and played all 76 snaps on defense in the Seahawks’ win at Atlanta, Thompson lost his job for good. His team traded with Detroit for Lions safety and captain Quandre Diggs.
Diggs was a revelation at free safety. His expansive coverage range and smarts deciphering offenses allowed strong safety Bradley McDougald to play closer to the line of scrimmage where he excels against the run and underneath receivers. When Thompson was playing free safety, McDougald had to play deeper, almost as a co-free safety, to babysit and guard against more huge pass plays allowed.
Thompson saw where his playing time was headed. He decided after Diggs arrived to have surgery on his shoulder labrum. He went on injured reserve, ending his season and Seahawks tenure. That game at Atlanta in October pre-Diggs trade was Thompson’s last one with Seattle.
This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 10:45 AM.
