Seahawks Releasing Tedric Thompson is a Worthless Penny-Pinching Move
The Seattle Seahawks have been known for drafting and developing defensive players who turn out to be stars. The team created the "Legion of Boom" and is looking to build yet another dominant defense in 2020.
Safety Tedric Thompson was a fourth-round pick in 2017 and appeared in 29 career games. He had his 2019 season cut short due to injury, but in a shocking move, he won't be getting another chance to prove his worth in lime green. Thompson is now a free agent after a penny-pinching decision by Seattle.
I'm told #Seahawks will release S Tedric Thompson, who missed part of last season with a torn labrum, in a salary cap move. Thompson is now healthy, per source.
— ig: josinaanderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 31, 2020
The move was a clear salary dump, as Thompson is now healthy. However, his release only saves $2.1 million. Was there no more room to develop Thompson after using a fourth-round selection on him? This roster move comes on the same day the Seahawks made another salary dump move by releasing tight end Ed Dickson.
The #Seahawks have released TE Ed Dickson, source said. He was due $3M this year and Seattle saves most of it.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 31, 2020
So, out of nowhere, the Seahawks cleared up just over $5 million in cap space. The team still has just over $17 million in total cap space, and would have to make more moves if the goal is to sign Jadeveon Clowney.
If these first two releases start a trend that results in signing Clowney, then this all makes sense. For now, it is odd to cut a player like Thompson only to save $2.1 million. This could be a case of the Seahawks overthinking things and forgetting how the "Legion of Boom" developed in the first place.