Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Ex-UNLV star Thomas asked Jets to release him

At first glance it appears the New York Jets' idea of moving Jason Thomas to tight end was a big bust.

Thomas, 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, had decided to try another position after going undrafted as a quarterback in April's NFL Draft, but was waived by the Jets on Monday, less than six weeks after signing as a free agent.

But it turns out the Jets were more than satisfied with Thomas' switch to tight end.

"I really felt like he was doing a good job of making the transition," said Paul Hackett, the offensive coordinator for the Jets who also coached Thomas at USC. "But I think in his mind he still wants to give quarterback another try."

Thomas, one of the most gifted athletes to come out of Southern California in the past decade, said it was his decision to leave the Jets.

"I wasn't cut," he said. "I asked to be released to try and pursue playing quarterback again.

"I talked to Coach Herm (Jets head coach Herman Edwards) and he told me that if my heart wasn't into (playing tight end), then I should follow my dream. If it didn't work out, then I could come back."

Thomas said he was going to either try to hook on with another NFL team as a quarterback or perhaps play in the Canadian Football League.

"I was doing all right (at tight end)," he said. "I probably would have made the practice squad. But my heart wasn't entirely in it.

"I want to take quarterback as far as I can take it and if it doesn't work out, then I'll make the switch. But right now I still want to play quarterback."

Hackett, who wanted to move Thomas to wide receiver at USC so he could catch passes from future Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer, said he was disappointed to see the former Rebels quarterback leave.

"I'm disappointed as hell because we recruited him here to play tight end and we're thin at that positon," Hackett said. "I also have a lot of respect for Jason's athletic ability and talent.

"The little time I saw him here he was everything I thought he could be at tight end. For the first time playing that position, I thought he did well.

"But he felt he just wanted to give quarterback another chance and we wish him well."

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