Free Agent Safety Earl Thomas Enrolls Kids In Austin School

Earl Thomas
Photo credit Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

By Josh Clark and Mike Fisher

DALLAS (105.3 The Fan) - The Dallas Cowboys attempted to acquire free agent safety Earl Thomas multiple times in 2018 but a deal never crossed the finish line. Thomas ultimately broke his leg a week after intercepting Dak Prescott twice, ending his season and trade discussions between Dallas and the Seattle Seahawks.

Jerry Jones will have another chance to bring Thomas aboard this offseason as he's free to sign with any team, barring the Seahawks placing the franchise tag on him. The question becomes ... does Dallas want to pay a player coming off of a devastating injury? 

When asked in early January about making a splash in free agency, Cowboys COO Stephen Jones said on the GBAG Nation that the club will not likely pay a 'high-profile' free agent this offseason.

 "I think our hands are going to be full paying our own guys," Jones said on 105.3 The Fan. "People may not like it but we're not big advocates of free agency. I don't think we make our living out here paying for free agents. I don't see that being the case especially because we got some really good football players on our team that need to be paid."

A new wrinkle has been added to the mix as Mike Fisher is reporting that Thomas and his family have enrolled their kids into a school in Austin. Fish cautions that this doesn't guarantee the former Longhorn will be joining the Cowboys or Houston Texans next season, but it is noteworthy. 

Nina and Earl Thomas - the Texas native and #Seahawks star free agent safety who has for a year been a #Cowboys target - are in Austin and have enrolled their children in school there. pic.twitter.com/8bh1MyYomF

— mike fisher ✭ (@fishsports) February 12, 2019

Fish speculates that Thomas and his family could be relocating temporarily to be closer to their extended family and is looking into whether his mansion in Bellevue, Washington, is up for sale. And despite Jones' denials, Fish is betting on the Cowboys to explore signing the 30-year old. 

Some #EarlThomas in Texas follow-up notes: The Thomases in Austin guarantee nothing at it regards #Cowboys or #Texans or other teams ... Move could be to be temporarily close to family. .. Not sure if Bellevue mansion is up for sale yet. pic.twitter.com/Ikcvs09IVo

— mike fisher ✭ (@fishsports) February 12, 2019

Thomas expressed his desire on multiple occasions last season to be dealt to another organization if he didn't receive a contract extension. He held out at the start of training camp before returning a week before the season despite not being granted his new deal.

The Cowboys have several free agents, including defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence and wide receiver Cole Beasley, and can negotiate extensions with quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott and wideout Amari Cooper.