Cleveland Browns: Instant reactions from tough Week 13 loss
Chad Thomas is Rapidly Improving
What a turnaround this season has been for Chad “Major Nine” Thomas. The second-year Miami product showed little promise as a rookie, barely getting onto the field in the first place. But in the prolonged suspension and absence of Myles Garrett, Thomas has been a stud piece for the Browns’ defensive line.
More from Browns News
- How the Browns could maximize Nick Chubb in 2023
- Can Deshaun Watson get to Patrick Mahomes level for Cleveland Browns?
- 3 Cleveland Browns who should see an expanded role in 2023 and 1 who should not
- Is Marcus Davenport on the Browns radar in 2023?
- 5 Free agents from Super Bowl LVII Cleveland Browns should target
Through his five appearances, Thomas has collected four sacks, including a 13-yard drop of Devlin “Duck” Hodges in the first quarter, forcing the Steelers to punt on their opening drive. That punt wouldn’t lead directly to point for Cleveland, but the field position battle would eventually help them to score a Kareem Hunt touchdown in the second.
Thomas’s impact has been a big help to the Browns this year, and his availability in the rotation has perhaps been the biggest asset he brings. Even after he was shaken up in the second quarter, Thomas would quickly return from the medical tent.
Thomas’s improvement has been a pleasant surprise this season, especially with the defensive line becoming surprisingly thin over the past few weeks. Thomas could very well be developing into the player that general manager John Dorsey thought he could be when he picked Thomas in the third round last season.