Jets’ Solomon Thomas Learning to ‘Focus on the Process’ After Career Year

Coming off the best season of his NFL career, Jets defensive lineman Solomon Thomas is carrying a new mindset into 2024 — one built not just on physical preparation, but on mental growth.

Thomas recorded career highs in 2023, posting 5 sacks and 7 tackles for loss. He credits much of that success to the work he put in last offseason improving his mental health, and he plans to continue building on that foundation this year.

“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’s such a finite amount of time we get to do this. It’s a cool and surreal experience to grow the way I did last year.”

Signed to a one-year deal in March 2023, Thomas became a key piece of Robert Saleh’s and Jeff Ulbrich’s rotational defensive line. He played in all 17 games (starting three), and earned a 62.5 Pro Football Focus grade — the third-highest among Jets defensive linemen behind Pro Bowlers Quinnen Williams and Jermaine Johnson.

Thomas attributes his breakthrough not to a physical change, but to a mental one.

“I started to let go of expectations and outcomes and focused on the process,” he said. “The production will show up in the games without having to force it. Sometimes you want something so bad that you end up pushing it away. Believing in myself has been the biggest part for me.”

During the 2023 offseason, Thomas worked closely with a therapist and a sports psychologist, learning new strategies to stay grounded and positive — even through the pressure and chaos of NFL life.

“I learned to love myself through my anxieties, doubts, and worries,” Thomas said. “I’ve done a lot of personal work, unapologetically. Learning how to be present and not attach myself to production took a lot of work. I’m not perfect — I still fall back into old habits — but I’m surrounded by people who remind me to live my new way.”

His renewed mindset has carried into this year’s training camp. During a recent joint practice with the Giants, Thomas stood out, winning multiple one-on-one reps against Giants right guard Greg Van Roten.

Thomas’s journey will come full circle when the Jets open their 2024 season on Monday Night Football against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers, on Sept. 9. The 49ers drafted Thomas third overall in 2017, and he spent four seasons there before moving on to the Raiders and eventually the Jets.

Now preparing to play his 100th career NFL game, Thomas is excited to return to the West Coast, not just to reunite with friends and family, but to showcase the best version of himself.

“San Fran is a second home for me,” he said. “I went to school in that city. I’m excited to get back there, play against one of my best friends in Christian McCaffrey, and celebrate my 100th NFL game. Every game is the same — but I’m super excited for this one.”