Can you talk about the development of Brenen Thompson so far?
Absolutely, it’s been an exciting journey for Brenen. When we first brought him in, we knew we had a special talent, but like any young player, there was a learning curve. Early on, it was clear that his speed and agility would be key assets, but what’s really impressed me is his adaptability. He’s been able to shift between roles—whether that’s on offense or special teams—and continue to develop.
I think the biggest takeaway from his development so far is his consistency. He’s steadily improving each week, and it’s evident in his practice performances. There’s been a noticeable jump in his route running, his ability to track the ball, and even his blocking technique, which is crucial for his growth.
Now, while we’re not ready to put him in the elite category just yet, the trajectory is certainly heading in that direction. His ability to learn quickly and take on feedback is going to continue to serve him well. And we’re all excited to see how he continues to progress, especially as he gets more comfortable and takes on more responsibilities in the offense.
Overall, I’m very pleased with his growth. He’s definitely going to be an impactful player for us moving forward.
How quickly can you tell if a young player is a football player if he thinks about it because it seems like at the Combine they’re all saying the right thing and it’s the job. How quickly does it take?
That’s a great question. The Combine is a great place for these guys to show off their athleticism, but it’s not always where you get to see the real character. You can tell a lot about a player when the lights are on and when they face adversity, not just when things are going smoothly. The real test comes when you throw them into the fire.
For me, it’s usually not about how fast they run or how high they jump. It’s about how they react when things aren’t going their way. A true football player doesn’t just have the skills; they have the mentality, the grit, and the resilience to bounce back and perform under pressure. You can get a sense of it pretty quickly in practice. If a guy’s competitive, if he’s focused, and if he has that hunger to improve every day, you know you’ve got something special.
What separates the guys who just say they want the job from the ones who are actually built for it is the work ethic and mindset when they face the grind. It doesn’t take long to figure out who’s ready to put in the work, and who’s just chasing the dream. So yeah, I’d say it’s pretty obvious within a few practices—when you see how they handle the small things, the tough moments, and how they elevate their play when it matters most.
Are you seeing the speed of the game starting to slow down for some of the rookies?
Absolutely, I am. And that’s when you know you’ve got some real ballplayers. At first, everything’s a blur for a rookie. The speed, the intensity—it can be overwhelming. But as they get their feet wet and really start to get comfortable, you can see the game start to slow down for them.
