Liam Coen’s biggest call in Week 4 wasn’t about a gadget wrinkle or a bold fourth-down gamble. It was about trust.
After a Week 3 game in which Brian Thomas Jr. barely saw the field by his standards, the Jaguars head coach put the third-year wideout back into a much larger role against the Bengals, and the move paid off in ways that went beyond the box score.
Thomas started, played 38 snaps and ran 18 routes, both comfortably ahead of rookie Josh Cameron, who logged 22 snaps and eight routes. That was a sharp shift from the previous week’s win over the New England Patriots, when Thomas was on the field for only 23 snaps and ran 14 routes - the lowest total of his career in any game he finished healthy. Cameron had picked up more of the workload then, raising at least a small question about whether Thomas’ role might be shrinking.
Instead, Coen chose to lean back into Thomas.
The production wasn’t flashy: two catches, 17 yards, two targets. But Thomas still made one of the game’s biggest receiving plays, hauling in the Jaguars’ only passing touchdown of the day. And after a rough stretch that included drop issues a few weeks ago against Denver, he handled the chances that came his way.
He also helped in the run game, where his effort stood out. Thomas delivered multiple strong blocks, including one that helped spring Chris Rodriguez Jr. for his fourth-quarter touchdown run.
“Yeah, it was some really good stuff,” Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said on Monday. I showed it to the team just now was shown multiple times, actually. There was a critical third and four where C-Rod [RB Chris Rodriguez Jr.] we handed it off to him in the shotgun where BT had a heck of a block that he was on the other side, but he took the nickel and drove him about 10 yards down the field and did a great job on C-Rod’s touchdown.”
Coen had already made it clear before the game that Thomas had put together a strong week of practice and responded well during preparation. Sunday’s performance gave that faith a return.
“Caught the touchdown, caught an outcut on the sideline. Did some really good things.
Was really proud of the way he responded and continues to do so,” Coen said. “Each week you just don't know who it's going to be, but when you go out and play like that, and you go play physical, and you go play fast like he did, good things will continue to happen.”
Thomas still hasn’t produced the kind of numbers his talent suggests he can reach. Through the first month, he has posted career lows in yards per catch and yards per game. But Coen’s decision Sunday was less about stat-chasing and more about keeping one of Jacksonville’s most talented pass catchers involved.
That mattered against the Bengals, and it could matter again if Coen keeps giving Thomas the same kind of runway.
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