USAT: Jets Wire audio clip

USAT: Jets Wire

Mar 31, 2022

New Jets DE Solomon Thomas sounds like a man who understands that many see him as a first-round disappointment. - After the 49ers drafted him third overall in 2017, Thomas only tallied six sacks in 48 games over four seasons before tearing his ACL in 2020. He played for the Raiders last season. - Now reunited with Robert Saleh – his old defensive coordinator in San Francisco – Thomas believes he’s finally fully healthy, confident and excited to rebound from a disappointing five-year career thus far. - “I haven’t performed exactly how I’ve wanted over the years – my production’s not there,” Thomas said Wednesday, per SNY, after signing his one-year deal with the Jets. “I know I can be a way better player in this league.” - Thomas believes that a full season and another offseason recovered from the ACL tear he suffered in Week 2 of the 2019 season – at MetLife Stadium against the Jets, no less – will help spur a resurgence. Though he didn’t have a great year with the Raiders in 2021 – only 3.5 sacks and zero starts – Thomas said he feels better than ever heading into the 2022 season. - “First offseason that I’ve [been] healthy in three seasons,” Thomas said. “I’m excited to go off. I’m excited to dominate. I’m excited to be the best teammate that I can be for the group and bring championship-level effort and intensity to this program.” - The choice to join the Jets was an easy one for Thomas because of his connection to Saleh. The now-Jets coach worked with Thomas during his first four years in the league on a vaunted 49ers defensive front that also included Nick Bosa, Arik Armstead and Kerry Hyder. - “For a team, it really was the Jets. It ended up working out. I get to reunite with Coach Saleh,” Thomas said, per SNY. “It’s an honor to be a Jet.” - - List - - 4 takeaways from Jets' signing of Solomon Thomas - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Jets Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Jets Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

F i l t e r   &   S o r t