Changes are coming to the New York Giants’ coaching staff, as running backs coach Joel Thomas is set to rejoin the New Orleans Saints following a season spent helping develop history-making rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. Thomas, who had previously spent nine years with the Saints before 2024, confirmed his return to the NFC South team on February 18, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Thomas’ departure is a significant blow, especially considering the instrumental role he played in Tracy’s standout rookie season.
Tracy, drafted in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, exceeded expectations and formed a dynamic duo with sixth-overall pick Malik Nabers. This duo made history by becoming only the third pair of rookies in NFL history to each tally over 1,000 total yards in their first season. While Nabers was expected to shine, Tracy’s rapid development under Thomas’ guidance was a pleasant surprise. Tracy’s performance, including 511 yards before contact, proved he was more than ready to fill the shoes of former Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley.
Replacing a player like Barkley, who left for the Philadelphia Eagles after rushing for over 2,000 yards and winning a Super Bowl, was no easy task. But Tracy stepped up, finishing just 161 yards shy of 1,000 rushing yards. Tracy’s success was largely thanks to his ability to break tackles, finishing the season with six broken tackles, as reported by Pro Football Reference. Thomas’ coaching expertise was pivotal in helping Tracy develop the skills needed to thrive as a rookie.
Joel Thomas
Thomas’ impact was particularly visible in Tracy’s understanding of zone-based running concepts, such as the “Duo” play against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 5. Tracy also excelled on power runs, showcasing his physicality on plays like the pin-and-pull scheme behind guard Jon Runyan Jr. Thomas used his familiarity with Tracy’s background, having worked alongside Tracy’s eventual position coach, Lamar Conrad, to refine Tracy’s game. His insider knowledge proved invaluable in shaping Tracy’s growth.
With Thomas’ departure, the Giants now face the challenge of finding a new coach to continue Tracy’s development and lead the team’s running backs moving forward. His departure is part of a broader staff shake-up under head coach Brian Daboll, and the team will need to quickly fill this void if they hope to continue building a competitive roster around exciting young talents like Tracy.
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