Earl Thomas nearly accepted a one-year guaranteed contract worth $12 million with another $1 million in likely incentives with an undisclosed team.
The undisclosed team was confident an agreement with Thomas would be reached.
But the Baltimore Ravens approached Thomas knowing they had to overpay to break up the other deal, offering a four-year, $55 million deal.
“The Ravens were never in the picture,” Thomas said. “I was shocked. I was blessed.”