In the final moments of a comeback surge against Tampa Bay, rookie CB Azareye’h Thomas‘ number was called. With CB Sauce Gardner briefly sidelined for an injury evaluation, Thomas stepped in — first to help hold the Buccaneers to a field goal and keep the game within reach, and then to defend a 1-point lead with the game on the line.

“It was kind of a surreal moment, for real,” Thomas said. “Big-time game, us trying to win a game and me coming in as a rookie. You live for those moments. To try and close out the game. The snaps I had going in, I feel like I was prepared.”

The moment wasn’t too big for the 2025 third-round draft selection. Though Thomas only played 10 defensive snaps (14%) last Sunday, he made the most of his limited action — breaking up a deep pass from Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield intended for rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka on the Buccaneers’ final drive. The Jets ultimately surrendered a field goal and fell, 29-27, but Thomas said making a play in a critical moment gave him confidence in his ability to contribute moving forward.

“My confidence really comes from my preparation,” he said. “Even though my number was called then, I always prepare like my number will be called. And then I go in and just try to take advantage of the reps that I do get. So, when I do go into the game, I’m not really thinking about it — I’m just doing it. And I’m out there playing free.”

While HC Aaron Glenn acknowledged the small sample size, he said the encouraging performance was a testament to Thomas’ skill set and the player he is on a daily basis.

“When it comes to watching him in practice, nothing changed with what I thought about him coming out of the draft,” Glenn said of the Florida State product. “He’s a big corner, he does a really good job in press coverage, he can run, he has game speed. When he runs a 40, it’s not the speed that everybody wants. But he has game speed, which is two different types of speed — and that’s what I look for more than anything. So, anytime he gets a chance to play in the game, it’s only going to help us, because he’s going to help us quite a bit at some point.”