Former Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson believes the team has crossed a point of no return when it comes to the future of free safety Earl Thomas.
Appearing on the Jason Puckett and Cliff Avril show on 950 KJR on Tuesday, Robinson said he believes Thomas' post-game comments have made it impossible for the team to consider signing him to an extension.
"You can't extend him now. You cannot extend him now. I'm just being honest, Robinson said. "The way I look at it, I think (Thomas) should have been a life Seahawker. Should have been a lifer. I just think right now after some of the things he said after this game, he basically just put the front office on front street.
"He basically said, 'look, fine me, so what? It's just paper.' But it's more principle with Earl. It's more on some bigger things. If the Seahawks allow Earl to do what he's doing to them and then he gets paid, what's going to stop another player from doing this? And I don't think Russell (Wilson) will be like this but what if Russell on his next contract decides to treat the team this way. I just think you go down a tough path if you decide to pay him now."
Thomas said after Sunday's win over the Cowboys that he skipped two practices last week because he was looking out for his health given the absence of a long-term contract to grant his the security he seeks.
“I need to make sure my body is 100 and I’m invested in myself,” Thomas said Sunday. “If they was invested in me, I’d be out there practicing, but if I feel like anything – I don’t give a damn if it’s small, I got a headache – I’m not practicing. But I don’t want that to get taken the wrong way. I know I’m going to get fined but that’s just where I’m at with that.”
Carroll said Monday that consequences are in order for Thomas' decisions, but wouldn't detail what those consequences would be.
“There’s consequences,” Carroll said. “Practice is really important.”
Robinson believes that the situation is likely irreparable at this point and that Thomas' time in Seattle is coming to an end one way or another.
"Yeah, I think the damage is done on both sides," Robinson said. "Because I do think the Seahawks had the opportunity to pay him.
"I don't see Earl Thomas in a Seattle Seahawks uniform after this year."
Photo Credit: SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 30: Fullback Michael Robinson #26 of the Seattle Seahawks rushes for a touchdown in the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams at CenturyLink Field on December 30, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Rams 20-13. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)