At the end of the 2024 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars appeared to have one of the NFL’s top young stars in Brian Thomas Jr.
Thomas had just finished an incredible rookie campaign, catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. He became the first rookie wide receiver in Jaguars history to be selected to the Pro Bowl.
Selected with the 23rd overall pick in 2024 out of LSU, BTJ looked well on his way to becoming a superstar and one of the league’s very best wide receivers.
When the Jaguars hired Liam Coen as their new head coach prior to the 2025 season, expectations for Thomas' sophomore season rose even higher. Coen was considered one of the NFL's brightest offensive minds and best play-callers. The hope was that he could finally turn Trevor Lawrence into an elite quarterback and transform Jacksonville's offense into a juggernaut.
Mission accomplished.
Despite having to learn a new, complicated system, Jacksonville's 27.9 points per game ranked sixth in the NFL, and Lawrence was named an MVP finalist for the first time in his career.
WR Parker Washington developed into a star. TE Brenton Strange had a career year. Even RB Travis Etienne enjoyed a resurgence, rushing for over 1,100 yards and scoring 13 total touchdowns.
With Coen and Lawrence running the show, everyone on the offense feasted.
Everyone except Brian Thomas Jr.
While everyone else on offense took a huge leap forward, Thomas regressed in a big way. He finished the season with only 48 catches, 707 yards, and two TDs. Along the way, Thomas struggled with drops, and his body language and willingness to go across the middle were criticized.
BTJ became the subject of rampant trade rumors for months. The Jaguars, however, were confident he would return to form and turned down significant trade offers for the 24-year-old.
This season, Thomas has been even worse. In six games, he has only nine catches for 105 yards and one score. He has also been losing playing time and was completely benched in the second half of Jacksonville's 34-31 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday.
In my five takeaways from the game, I said I believed the time had come for the Jaguars and Thomas to part ways, saying Jacksonville should find out whether he still has any trade value. Moving on would be best for the team and BTJ.
It looks like ESPN agrees. In its article highlighting Week 6 "overreactions," ESPN believes the speculation that BTJ will be the next big-name WR traded before the NFL's November 10 trade deadline.
"Might Not Fit In Jacksonville"
ESPN highlights the long-term commitment the Jaguars have already made to Jakobi Meyers after trading for him last season, and a (very) lucrative extension for Washington is likely next. The media giant wonders whether BTJ still fits into Jacksonville's plans when deciding whether the likelihood of Thomas being traded is, or is not, an overreaction.
"Verdict: NOT AN OVERREACTION
"The issue Thomas and other Jaguars receivers had with drops last season is one of the reasons Jacksonville felt the need to trade for the sure-handed Meyers and sign him to a long-term extension. The Jaguars talked extension with Washington this offseason and still could do one, though he's setting the price higher with every stellar week.
"Thomas just might not fit in Jacksonville, and while the Jaguars have indicated they don't have interest in trading him, the Cardinals were saying the same thing about Harrison as recently as two weeks ago. There are a lot of people around the league who believe Thomas could have a new home by the trade deadline. It's a situation to monitor."
Final Thoughts
I believe the time to trade BTJ has come, and that Jacksonville regrets not moving him this offseason.
Even though Thomas has struggled for almost a season and a half, many teams will likely jump at the chance to add a 24-year-old with his enormous talent.
If another significant offer comes Jacksonville's way, the organization shouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger, even if the offers are no longer as significant as they were a few months ago.