I don't think it can be understated how much he was missed last season - on the field and off. I base this on the reaction of the entire team and coaching staff.
For the on-field, it's clear that the QB missed him dearly, because he got bailed out all the time with Cephus' ability to catch anything thrown near him.
And speaking of the QB.. there is no love lost. I could sense that there was something "off" about last year's team. Everything seems really different going into this season.
There's a reason he transferred, as a 3 year incumbent, and I don't think it was his idea.