RENTON, Wash. — All of the Seahawks arrived on Tuesday for mandatory minicamp except for six-time pro bowl safety Earl Thomas.
Thomas is trying to secure his future in Seattle by holding out from team activities.
"It hurt that he was making that choice. I wish he was here,” Pete Carroll, a Seahawks head coach, said. “That would be nice. But we're focusing on the guys that are here, so we'll see how that goes."
Quarterback Russell Wilson knows that a lot of the players look up to Thomas, who is one of the original Legion of Boom members.
"Obviously, we wish he was here,” said Wilson. “He's one of the best players in the world and [it’s] always great if he's on the field. That's a better thing for us if he's on the field just because he's a great player."
Thomas has spent all eight years of his NFL career with the Seahawks, and has racked up 25 career interceptions.
"Earl doesn't know any other way [but to make big time plays],” said Carroll. “He gives you everything he's got when he's with you."
“When it comes to people's contracts and stuff, those are business deals,” said Wilson. “It's part of the situation [with Thomas] I guess."
Thomas has one year left on a four-year, $40 million deal he signed in 2014. At the time, that contract made him the second-highest paid safety behind Eric Berry from the Kansas City Chiefs.
Now, Thomas wants to become the NFL's highest-paid safety.
“You're talking about a [future] Hall of Famer [in Thomas],” said Wilson. “You'd love for him to be out here."
Read the full statement from Thomas on his plans to remain away from the team at mandatory mini camp below:
"I will not be attending the upcoming mini camp or any team activities until my contract situation is resolved. I want everyone especially the 12's to know that I want to remain a Seahawk for the rest of my career but I also believe that based on my production over the last 8 years that I've earned the right to have this taken care of as soon as possible. I want to have certainty in regards to the upcoming years of my career. I'm going to continue to work on my craft and put in work so that I can add to the team and give us the best chance to win. I hope my teammates understand where I'm coming from. I believe this is the right thing to do."