Something happened to Demaryius Thomas in the months after Super Bowl 50. Something changed in the way he walked, the way he greeted reporters who were eager to pelt him with more questions about his drops and mistakes and pressures that filled his 2015 season.

Something changed in the way he trotted onto the field the next day, as he joked with teammates and shared laughs with coaches on the sideline. Something changed in the way he played to the fans who watched his every move from afar, and the way he refocused as he toed the line of scrimmage and fielded pass after pass from his new quarterbacks.

Something happened.

For the first time in more than a year, Thomas was no longer playing catchup.

“I wanted to be perfect, and I wasn’t,” Thomas said of last season. “I just kept letting it bother me and it kept building. So now that it’s over, I can go back to playing and not worry about any of it — the contract, my mom. Even though we won the Super Bowl, there was still a lot of stuff along the way.”

Last summer, as the Broncos transitioned to a new coaching staff and new offense, Thomas held out of the offseason program because of contract negotiations. Days before he received a five-year, $70 million deal — the third-largest awarded to a wide receiver — his mother’s nearly 15-year prison sentence was commuted by President Obama. For the first time, Katina Smith would get to see her son play football in person, not from an outdated television inside prison walls.

But a week of euphoria was followed by a pressure-packed seven months, which ended with a ring and personal disappointment. Thomas finished the season with 105 catches and 1,304 yards to rank seventh among all receivers in both categories.

“But if you watch the games, you study the games, you know he did not play up to his potential,” said Shannon Sharpe, the former Broncos tight end who has been a confidant of Thomas’. “That was one of the things that I talked to him about. And maybe the situation with his mom — I’m sure that weighed heavily on his mind. He got nicked early on and he had to play through it, and to compound that, he missed all the (organized team activities) holding out. The team, the fans, you have this expectation that ‘I got this money, I need to show them why they gave me this money.’ ”

Instead, Thomas’ nine dropped passes shared the spotlight with the impending release of his mother. Every drop ushered in a roar of criticism. Every miscue raised questions of his value. Every step backward put pressure on making an even bigger play.

So this offseason he changed his ways, with the hope the rest would follow.

When the OTAs started in April, Thomas was there, with a smaller frame and a year of experience in coach Gary Kubiak’s system. At the advice of Sharpe, Thomas altered his diet and shed 6 pounds to improve his quickness and durability. Four more and he’ll be at his goal of 222 pounds, down from about 232 last season.

“I wanted to come back a little lighter so I can get through the season,” he said. “Hopefully it’ll help with the injuries and everything, be quick on my feet, be in better shape. I think that’ll help my game.”

It seemed to from the jump. Day 1 of training camp was his, highlighted by his catches and sharp route running.

“D.T. and I texted probably five or six times in the last week, talking to me about preparation and expectations and those types of things,” Kubiak said. “So yes, I see a great focus from him. I think he was disappointed in some things last year, but he still had a pretty darn good year. He’s a big piece of this puzzle, and we need him playing great, and I think he’s working his way toward playing that way.”

The weight that had rested firmly on Thomas’ shoulders has seemingly relocated. The outside noise that cluttered his thoughts and his focus on the field has dissipated.

The pressure has given way to peace.

“He has his mom home. That’s his girl. That’s his heart,” Sharpe said. “She’s home. She’s in a good place. So now all he has to do is focus on catching the football, blocking. Just talking to him, he seems like a different person. The proof will be in the pudding.”

Demaryius Thomas’ Pressure-Packed 2015

The Broncos’ star wide receiver opened training camp this summer with a fresh look after his most trying season in the league. A look back at what he experienced in 2015.

Missed offseason program because of contract negotiations.

President Barack Obama commutes prison sentence of his mother, Katina Smith, in mid-July.

Two days later, Thomas agrees to five-year, $70 million contract, making him the third-highest-paid receiver

Suffered a neck injury in Oct. 4 victory against Minnesota, but didn’t miss a game.

Made a team-high nine drops during regular season, according to Stats.

With his mother in stands for first time, Thomas caught four of eight passes thrown to him for 40 yards in divisional playoff win vs. the Steelers.

Made only three catches for 20 yards in AFC championship game and Super Bowl combined.