Jets defensive lineman Solomon Thomas had the best season of his career in 2023, recording a career-best 5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. He credits the success, to the work he did last offseason to improve his mental health, and plans to carry that same mindset into the 2024 season.
"Last season was fun because I was just there," Thomas said. "I didn't try to force things to happen or reach for anything. This game of football is so special and there is such a finite amount of time that we get to do this. It is such a cool and surreal experience being able to grow the way I did last year."
Thomas, who signed a one-year deal with the Jets this past March, played an integral role in HC Robert Saleh's and DC Jeff Ulbrich's rotational defensive line last season. He played in all 17 games (3 starts) and received a 62.5 grade on Pro Football Focus – third-highest on the team behind Pro Bowlers Quinnen Williams and Jermaine Johnson.
"I started to let go of expectations and let go of outcomes and focus on the process," Thomas said. "The production will show up in the games without having to force it. Sometimes you want something so bad that your try to force it and you end up pushing it away. Believing in myself is the biggest part for me."
When most players make improvements from year to year, it is normally because of a physical change. Thomas worked closely with a therapist and sport psychologist over the 2023 offseason.
"I learned to love myself through my anxieties and my doubts and worries," Thomas said. "I have also done a lot of personal work, unapologetically. Learning how to be present and not attach myself to the production of this game. It took a lot of work. I am not perfect and still fall back into my old habits, but I am surrounded by people that remind me to live my new way."
Thomas's improvements have carried over to this summer. The former Stanford defensive lineman has had a strong training camp. Wednesday, during a joint practice with the Giants, Thomas won a pair of reps against RG Greg Van Roten in one-on-ones.
To begin the 2024 regular season, the Jets will travel to California to take on Thomas's former team on Monday night Sept. 9. The 49ers drafted Thomas third overall in 2017 and he went on to play four seasons with them before signing with Raiders and later the Jets.
Thomas is eager to return to the West Coast, not only to see friends and family, but to show off the new and improved version of himself heading into his eighth professional season.
"San Fran is a second home for me," Thomas said. "I went to school in that city, and I am excited to get back there. I get to play against one of my best friends in Christian McCaffrey and play in the place I started my career. I get to play my 100th NFL game there. Every game is the same, but I am super excited for this one."
