Earl Thomas: Latest News, Rumors, Speculation on Star's Potential Retirement

After running back Marshawn Lynch's abrupt retirement in the offseason, the Seattle Seahawks may be looking at a future without another key player: Earl Thomas.

Continue for updates.

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Thomas Comments on NFL Future

Saturday, Dec. 24

Thomas took to Twitter with a positive note for Seahawks fans:

"

I'll def be back next year..

— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) December 25, 2016"

"I'm kind of enjoying just waking up in the mornings without the pressure," Thomas said on The Rich Eisen Show, per Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com on Dec. 20. Thomas, who was ruled out for the season after Week 13, continued:

"

Peace is starting to return to me, and I think that's my ultimate goal in life. I just want to have peace. But I can say when I went back to the VMAC [practice facility] the other day, my competitive juices came right back. I don't know, man. I'm kind of caught in between right now.

"

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Richard Comments on Thomas' Future 

Wednesday, Dec. 21

"I don't think he's serious, at all," Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard said, per Gregg Bell of the News Tribune. 

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Chancellor, Sherman Believe Thomas Will Return

Monday, Dec. 5

Jason Cole of Bleacher Report reported that Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman believe Thomas will return to the Seahawks after overcoming the emotion of the injury in Week 13:

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Thomas Contemplates Retirement

Sunday, Dec. 4

Shortly after exiting Sunday night's game against the Carolina Panthers, Thomas sent a tweet saying he's considering retiring from the NFL:

According to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport, however, Thomas faces an indefinite absence after suffering a broken bone in his leg. The team confirmed the news.

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Thomas Is One of NFL's Elite Safeties

"I think all of us consider retirement just about every game, and when you get injured like that, a lot of stuff goes through your mind," Sherman said, per Stephen Cohen of Seattlepi.com.

ESPN.com's Bill Barnwell was struggling to comprehend the fact that the five-time Pro Bowler might be walking away from the game:

SB Nation's Field Gulls isn't convinced fans have seen the last of Thomas:

"

Has Earl Thomas ever struck you as the type of player that will retire without a long arduous fight until he's in his 40s? I don't buy it.

— Field Gulls (@FieldGulls) December 5, 2016"

"You lose one of the best safeties to ever play the game [it's] a devastating thing," Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson said, per Bell.

Thomas is signed through the 2018 season after signing an extension with Seattle in 2014, so it's not as if his contract status provides any clues to his long-term outlook in the Pacific Northwest.

In Lynch's case, the Seahawks had a succession plan. Even if Lynch had stayed with the team for the 2016 season, Thomas Rawls was Seattle's running back of the future.

"

All is well in Seattle when the Legion of Boom is healthy #SNF pic.twitter.com/meqpz05xY2

— SNF on NBC (@SNFonNBC) December 5, 2016"

When it comes to Thomas, the team doesn't have that luxury.

The 27-year-old is one of the Seahawks' most integral players. He, Sherman and Kam Chancellor have helped the Seahawks continue to contend for the Super Bowl title despite the losses of Byron Maxwell, Brandon Mebane, Bruce Irvin and Malcolm Smith on defense in recent years.

SNF on NBC pointed out the impact the absence of Sherman, Thomas or Chancellor has had on Seattle this season:

Should Thomas decide to retire, the Seahawks at least have the second half of the season to determine whether Steven Terrell can be a viable starting safety in 2017 and beyond.

However, Seattle would likely need to look to free agency to find somebody who can come close to replicating Thomas' production in the secondary.