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Walter Thurmond wonders if he'll be back with Eagles

Walter Thurmond can guess where he falls on the Eagles' to-do list. They must hire a head coach and determine their schemes. There's a big decision to be made at quarterback with Sam Bradford and other demands that require salary-cap space. The list of offseason priorities is long. But at some point, the Eagles will decide what to do about their starting safety, who becomes a free agent on March 9.

Walter Thurmond can guess where he falls on the Eagles' to-do list. They must hire a head coach and determine their schemes. There's a big decision to be made at quarterback with Sam Bradford and other demands that require salary-cap space. The list of offseason priorities is long. But at some point, the Eagles will decide what to do about their starting safety, who becomes a free agent on March 9.

"I'd say there's more priorities than myself at the moment that I know where I fall in line," Thurmond said. "Obviously, quarterback. Sam's still got to get done. I understand the economics of it, how much money is going to be left over if they do some of these deals. . . . There's so many variables. And that's something I don't know."

Thurmond, 28, signed a one-year deal last March to compete for a job at cornerback. After the Eagles bolstered the position during the draft and bypassed safeties, they decided to move Thurmond to safety. It was a new position for him, but he quickly took to the role. There was little competition and Thurmond established himself as a starter even before the first preseason game.

His performance was one of the few pleasant surprises of the Eagles' season. He finished with 71 tackles, three interceptions, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one touchdown. He also played 16 games for the first time in his six-year career. That makes him more attractive on the market this year than he was last offseason, when he signed a deal that paid him $3.25 million. The playing time and production helped prove Thurmond's value.

"To a degree, just given my history as far as injuries are concerned, and people not knowing my ability, to show them that I can play in this league - especially a position I never played before - I think that goes a long way as far as showing my character and ability to perform," he said. "I felt I had a decent year. And I can play a lot better at that position."

What he does not know is where he'll play - or even what position he'll play. Thurmond moved to safety out of necessity. But he spent the first five years of his career at cornerback, and he mentioned earlier this year how he misses his old position.

If Thurmond stays in Philadelphia, it will likely need to be at safety. Byron Maxwell and Eric Rowe are expected to be the starting cornerbacks, and safety is the spot where the Eagles have a need and where Thurmond fits next to Malcolm Jenkins. Even Thurmond expects to draw more interest at safety because that's where his film looks best.

"I wouldn't mind playing safety," Thurmond said. "It comes down to what a team values me at. I guess we'll see within the next couple months what that's going to be."

Thurmond said he enjoys Philadelphia and his teammates, but he needs to see which coach the team hires and what scheme they will run. It will also depend how much they offer. Thurmond sounded curious about waiting until free agency - even if there's an offer on the table - so he can "compare and [contrast] and see what's going to be the best fit for me."

"It's a business," Thurmond said. "And understanding that, I need to do what's best for me at the end of the day. I want to be able to start and contribute to a team, and I want to win a championship."

Thurmond spent the last two years on one-year contracts after his rookie pact expired. Those deals were strategic because he wanted to enhance his value. His 2014 season with the New York Giants was cut short after two games because of a torn pectoral muscle, which prompted him to take another short-term deal this year. After his best, Thurmond could be in line for a more lucrative long-term contract.

"I'm not a young spring chicken anymore," Thurmond said. "This contract could potentially be my last depending how long it is. It's going to come down to what's best for me, the fit, the coaches here, who's going to be here."

The Eagles would benefit from having continuity at the position. They have started 13 different safeties in their base defense since 2009, and the pipeline is not deep with players ready to step in for Thurmond. But Thurmond must wait to see how badly the Eagles want him back, and who else wants to bring him in.

"If I could, I would like to be here," Thurmond said. "If it's not, it's a business. I understand it. It's not my first rodeo."

zberman@phillynews.com

@ZBerm