When Seahawks safety Earl Thomas announced he would be holding out for a new contract, Seattle was faced with three less than desirable options.

Extend Earl Thomas to a new contract, even though he will be 30 years old this time next year and third contracts for Seattle defenders haven’t panned out as of late. Trade one of the NFL’s best defenders in his prime, possibly to NFC rival Dallas. Allow Thomas to walk in free agency when his contract expires at the end of this year, meaning Seattle gets nothing out of him leaving.

However, it seems one of these options is no longer on the table. According to The Athletic’s Calvin Watkins, a Cowboys team official stated: “Seattle not giving him away and we’re not overpaying.”

If Seattle truly has no intentions of trading the former Longhorn, then there is really only one viable option left for them – the Seahawks must offer Thomas the extension he desires.

Although there are risks involved with a third contract, Thomas is worth the gamble. The Seahawks have maintained they are still holding themselves to a high standard and have aspirations of getting back to what made them successful. A great way to do so would be keeping one of the most valuable players on the team.

Despite battling some injuries the past two seasons, when he is healthy, Thomas shows he is still one of the best – if not the best – at his position in the NFL.

Financially speaking, the Seahawks could make an extension happen without throwing themselves into salary cap turmoil. Thomas will make $10.4 million in base salary for 2018 and is currently the No. 6 highest paid safety in the NFL. But there is only $3 million separating him from Eric Berry of the Chiefs, who is the highest paid safety in the league.

The Seahawks can definitely afford such a raise for Thomas. According to Over The Cap, Seattle has nearly $11 million in cap space for 2018. That number balloons to $66.4 million for 2019.

If the Seahawks are unwilling – or unable – to find a suitable trade option for Thomas, then they need to roll the dice on a third contract for him. Doing so increases the chances of ensuring a Hall of Fame level player is a lifetime Seahawk, making the playoffs, and keeping the 12’s happy.