Earl Thomas' contract dispute looks set to roll on deep into the offseason. The All Pro safety was supposedly on the trading block around draft time, with the Cowboys constantly being linked with a move for him, and it looks like that reality could once again arise. After holding out of OTA's thus far, Thomas is set to miss a significant chunk more of the Seahawks' offseason programme after a major announcement, Sunday. The 29-year-old took to Twitter to announce that he wouldn't be attending minicamp due to the ongoing dispute over his contract. It's a big blow for Seattle, and GM John Schneider now faces the unenviable task of negotiating with a player who has publicly stated he wants to end his career as a Seahawk. “I will not be attending the upcoming minicamp or any team activities until my contract situation is resolved." Thomas wrote on his Twitter page.

"I want everyone especially the 12s to know that I want to remain a Seahawk for the rest of my career but I also believe that based on my production over the last 8 years that I’ve earned the right to have this taken care of as soon as possible.

"I want to have certainty in regards to the upcoming years of my career. I’m going to continue to work my craft and put in work so that I can add to the team and give us the best chance to win. I hope my teammates understand where I’m coming from I believe this is the right thing to do.”

Trade on the cards?

So, with a very real possibility that a deal isn't able to be negotiated, Seahawks fans will have to come to terms with a scenario in which Thomas gets shipped on for draft capital. 

As aforementioned, the Cowboys were hotly linked to the six-time Pro Bowler back in April, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Jerry Jones come back in for Thomas to add a veteran presence to one of the league's youngest secondaries. 

Thomas is set to make $8.5 million in the final year of his deal, and he clearly wants to be paid as the top safety in the league. 

Eric Berry currently holds that mantle, and it's not hard to understand why Thomas wants a raise given how consistently excellent he has been over the duration of his current deal. 

But, with the 'hawks in full rebuild mode, it wouldn't be a shock to see them let him go for the right combination of draft picks.