Sources confirmed the news on Monday, Sherman next on agenda.
The Seattle Seahawks have reportedly agreed a four-year extension with Earl Thomas worth $40m, which would make him the first $10m-a-year safety.
ESPN sources confirmed the news on Monday although there has yet to be an official announcement from either the team or the player, with news expected on Tuesday.
NFL.com reported that Thomas had agreed to the extension which makes him the league’s highest paid safety in terms of average salary.
The 24-year-old has a deal which includes $27.75m in guaranteed money and having recently completed his fourth season with the Seahawks and having been named to the Pro Bowl for a third consecutive year, he is widely recognised as the best safety in the league and fittingly is now being rewarded for being so.
Former Buffalo safety Jairus Byrd signed a six-year deal worth $54m with the New Orleans Saints last month that made him $9m-per-year, with the contract including $28m in guaranteed money.
Thomas has now surpassed that having helped guide the Seahawks to the Super Bowl title last season, and it is expected that he is just the first of many players to be tied down to new deals.
Prior to Monday’s deal, Pittsburgh Steelers’ Troy Polamalu had the highest average salary of any safety at $9.867m, but that has now been surpassed.
Thomas, who will make $4.625m in base salary in the final year of his rookie contract, recorded 105 tackles and five interceptions last season and undoubtedly played an integral role for coach Pete Carroll in gaining success.
Meanwhile, having now secured Thomas’ long-term future, it is understood that the Seahawks will now consider offering Richard Sherman a new deal as his current contract expires next summer.
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