Sherman: Thomas will sign with Cowboys 'if the money's equal'

Richard Sherman seems to have a strong feel for Earl Thomas' offseason plans, and his insight into the soon-to-be free agent's preferred destination should surprise no one.

Though Sherman says there's "serious interest" for Thomas to join him with the San Francisco 49ers, he believes any potential suitors would have to outbid the Dallas Cowboys.

"If the money's equal, if all things are equal, he's going to Dallas," Sherman said Wednesday, according to Gregg Bell of The Sacramento Bee. "Now if that (compensation is) not the same, there's more of a discussion, more of a fight. But then it becomes a bidding war. But that's up to people (who) make more major decisions than I."

Thomas has been heavily linked to the Cowboys for the past two seasons. After playing out his contract, free agency could finally give the star safety the opportunity to join his home-state team.

The Cowboys would presumably love to add a player of Thomas' caliber, but it's unclear whether they'd be willing to match other offers the 29-year-old will likely receive on the open market.

With Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott, Amari Cooper, and DeMarcus Lawrence all in line for lucrative contract extensions, it's certainly no sure thing.

If Dallas can't justify the price tag - one which would presumably make Thomas one of the league's highest-paid safeties again - Sherman sees his 49ers as a realistic contender.

"There's serious interest. There's obviously a clear and easy fit," Sherman said. "But financially it has to make sense. If you go into free agency and say, 'Hey, we offered Earl Thomas $7 million,' it doesn’t matter how much I recruit, it doesn't how much you say. If finances make sense, then I would say we're a major player in it. If everything aligns the right way."

Thomas earned six Pro Bowl appearances during an incredible nine-year run with the Seattle Seahawks, the vast majority of which he spent alongside Sherman leading the vaunted "Legion of Boom."