Can’t doubt LB Thomas’ motivation

J.T. Thomas is willing to do anything to make the Giants roster this season — that includes taking a significant pay cut. The seven-year veteran linebacker was set to make $2.975 million this season as part of a three-year, $10 million deal he signed with the Giants in 2015.

But after tearing his ACL in Week 1 last year, which caused him to miss the entire season and most of training camp, Thomas knew his chances of making the team were not likely.

So on Aug. 17, two days before returning to practice, he took a pay cut — $775,000, the veteran minimum.

“It’s just about putting my pride in my pocket and being real about the situation and recognizing there’s more to gain about being part of this organization this year than it is trying to bleed someone for some money,” he said after Thursday’s preseason game against the Patriots. “I’ve never played that way. I believe you get what you’re due. You have a good year and you usually don’t see that kind of pay until the following year.”

Should Thomas make the Giants roster, he’d receive a $20,000 bonus and could earn up to $400,000 in incentives if he plays 70% of the defensive snaps.

“This league is funny in general about pay,” he said. “You’d hope that a sport like football you can have some fully guaranteed contracts. But it wasn’t about the player I was when I got here. I just was fortunate enough to have some consistency on the field.”

Thomas is one of many players on the bubble to make the 53-man roster — which is finalized on Saturday — but he certainly made a compelling case in the final preseason game.

After just one tackle in 10 snaps against the Jets, Thomas finished with four tackles and a forced fumble in 28 snaps against the Patriots.

“J.T.’s made progress each and every day,” head coach Ben McAdoo said. “He had a little more work out there in this ballgame and to cause the turnover and be involved in the turnover was good to see.”

“Everybody knows there’s nothing like confidence,” Thomas added. “When you get on the field and get your legs back under you, I know I’ll continue to get better.”

It’s that type of confidence that has Thomas optimistic about making the team, and being a key contributor, too.

“I’m excited about the future,” said Thomas. “Not so much about what I’ve had to do to get to this point, but I just know the sky’s the limit as far as being able to contribute.”