Why Brian Thomas Jr. Probably Isn’t Going Anywhere-And Why That Matters for WR-Needy Teams
As we look ahead to the 2026 NFL offseason, three teams-the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, and Denver Broncos-are firmly in the market for wide receiver help. Each has a different need, but the common thread is clear: they’re all missing a key piece in the passing game.
Pittsburgh is searching for a legitimate No. 2 option to line up alongside their top target. Buffalo?
They’re in the market for a true No. 1 and could use depth across the board. Denver’s situation is more about balance-they’ve got Courtland Sutton leading the room, but they need a veteran complement to round out the unit.
That’s where Brian Thomas Jr.’s name has come up again. After being the subject of trade rumors at last season’s deadline, there was buzz that Jacksonville might revisit the idea of moving the talented young wideout this offseason. But that door may be closing quickly-and it has everything to do with how the Jaguars plan to use Travis Hunter in 2026.
According to NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe, Jacksonville is planning to shift Hunter primarily to cornerback this year. That’s a significant change from 2025, when Hunter saw more than double the snaps at wide receiver compared to corner. This time around, it’s defense first.
“From what I understand, [the Jaguars] plan to play him as a full-time cornerback, a part-time receiver,” Wolfe reported. “Which is a switch from last year when he played more than double of his snaps at receiver than cornerback.”
That shift in Hunter’s usage changes the calculus for Jacksonville. With Hunter spending more time on defense, the Jaguars can’t afford to thin out their receiving corps. And that makes holding onto Brian Thomas Jr. not just logical-it’s essential.
Thomas, still only 23, flashed superstar upside as a rookie. Yes, his second season in 2025 was a step back, but that’s hardly uncommon for young receivers adjusting to evolving roles and defensive attention.
The talent is still there, and Jacksonville knows it. Trading him now would mean they’d have to find a replacement, and with Hunter no longer a full-time option on offense, that’s a hole they’re unlikely to want to dig.
Now, if Thomas were to become available, there’s no doubt he’d be a hot commodity. For the Steelers and Broncos, he’d instantly elevate the room as a high-end No.
- In Buffalo, he’d walk in as the top target in a receiving group that’s crying out for star power.
And from a financial standpoint, he’s a dream fit for the cap-strapped Bills. Thomas carries a modest $3.99 million cap hit in 2026-an absolute bargain for a player with his ceiling. That kind of value doesn’t come around often, especially at a premium position like wide receiver.
But all signs point to Jacksonville keeping him in the fold. With Hunter focusing more on locking down receivers than being one, the Jaguars simply can’t afford to part ways with Thomas. The timing isn’t right, and the internal depth chart can’t support the loss.
So while teams like Buffalo, Pittsburgh, and Denver will undoubtedly keep their eyes peeled for potential upgrades this offseason, they may need to look elsewhere. Brian Thomas Jr. looks more and more like a player who’s staying put-and for good reason.