Jets Sign 'Man of Year' Honoree to Contract Extension

The New York Jets are signing locker-room leader Solomon Thomas to a contract extension.
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Solomon Thomas may not be the type of player many expected him to be when he was taken with the third overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. 

That doesn't mean he hasn't carved an important role out of the New York Jets

New York's Walter Payton Man of the Year honoree for 2023, Thomas is coming off a career-high five-sack season with the Jets and is considered one of the more important leaders in the locker room. Now, both sides have agreed to have the 28-year-old defensive tackle return to Florham Park for another season. 

Jets - Solomon Thomas

Connor Hughes of SNY was first on the news of Thomas' extension with the team. Details of the contract are not yet known.

Thomas has totaled 5.5 sacks with the Jets after 9.5 with the 49ers and Raiders. The Stanford product may have started in just three games for New York, but the importance he brings as a leader in the locker room is far more than just his overall production. 

Flying Solo: Jets' Lone Candidate at NFL Honors Show

"I love Solly," Jets head coach Robert Saleh said of Thomas during the 2023 season. "We drafted him in San Francisco. It wasn't as celebrated but he still played some really good ball there. He's an unbelievable player on and off the field."

The Jets will have Thomas return to a defensive tackle situation with newly signed Javon Kinlaw and, Leki Fotu, and former first-team All-Pro Quinnen Williams.


 


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Nick Faria
NICK FARIA

Nick covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated/FN. He was previously on the New York Jets' beat for AM New York with prior experience reporting on the New York Islanders and the Philadelphia Eagles. The New York City resident is also an Adjunct Professor at LIU Brooklyn.