Thomas has just four sacks in his first two NFL seasons. He has dealt with a lot since being drafted. Thomas has had to deal with the lofty expectations during his rookie campaign and then the death of his sister after that year.
As for his play on the football field, Thomas is trying to get out of his own head. He's focused on having fun and his love for the game.
"I'm a natural overthinker," Thomas told reporters on Tuesday. "I've been my whole life. I'm a perfectionist. I want to be perfect in everything I do, and if I'm not, I overthink, and I get in my head. That's probably my biggest flaw, and one of my biggest weaknesses.
"That's what I worked on a lot. Just going. Just letting loose and just having fun. At the end of the day, no matter what I do, just go hard, put everything I can into it."
As for the loss of his sister, Thomas admits that 2018 was a challenging year for him. He had to deal with anger, depression, guilt, and grief.
"It was hard for me to get healthy, and it took me a while," he continued.
Thomas feels better, both physically and mentally, now. He has found balance, and is having fun again practicing with his teammates and going to team meetings.
The 49ers brought in Kris Kocurek to coach the defensive line. Thomas feels a lot more comfortable in the new scheme. He loves the system and feels it brings out his strengths as a defender.
"It's perfect," Thomas said of the new scheme. "Getting off, getting in the backfield, going, not thinking; just getting off and using my explosion. That is how I play."
Thomas was also asked about the trade rumors that circulated during Day 1 of the draft. He explained that he and general manager John Lynch had a conversation. Thomas was told the 49ers had no intention of trading him and are excited about his future with the team.
"[Lynch] has been amazing to my family and I," Thomas added. "So has the York family and everyone in this organization. Nothing but love for them and how they do business and how they run this organization."
The video below is courtesy of Grant Cohn of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat.
Related News
More San Francisco 49ers News
-
49ers vs. Titans PFF grades: Best and worst from the game, plus snap counts
The San Francisco 49ers improved their record to 10-4 after a 37-24 win against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15. Today, Pro Football Focus released its grades and snap counts from the game. Which Niners stood out, and who needs more work? Highest-graded 49ers: Offense Trent... -
George Kittle: 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey has 'years left in the tank'
Many around the league are surprised by the elite production San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is delivering this season, especially after battling injuries and missing most of the 2024 campaign. Yet McCaffrey has bounced back in MVP-caliber fashion, racking... -
49ers' Brock Purdy reveals truth about his game-day mindset
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy looks like he's having fun again—and there's a good reason why. The 49ers extended their winning streak to four games on Sunday with a 37-24 victory over the Tennessee Titans, improving to 10-4 and strengthening their playoff... -
49ers Notebook: Ricky Pearsall gets back to piling up stats; Is Trent Williams giving up on his TD dream? The meaning of 10 wins; Happy Birthday, Kyle Shanahan
The San Francisco 49ers are inching closer to a playoff berth, and on Sunday they did what playoff teams are supposed to do by decisively taking care of business against a last-place team with a 37-24 victory over the two-win Tennessee Titans. The offense shined for the 49ers...