Seattle Seahawks All-Pro safety Earl Thomas did not receive the new contract that he wanted this past offseason from his present employer. Which means Thomas has to play out this season, for which he is still under contract, without long-term security — and in the NFL, this means that Earl is one injury away from not even getting another contract after this season.

The Seahawks and the NFL know this, Earl knows it, you and I know it. It’s a strong hand for any NFL team: They can squeeze the equity out of Thomas, or any player in such a situation, while not having to worry about how much is left of him after this year. Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell is in a similar situation and hasn’t played a game yet this season as a result.

While Thomas has played in his team’s games, he’s come up with a different way of saving himself: Not practicing.

I appreciate the honesty of Earl’s (non) actions.