The Kansas City Chiefs are running out of time to solve one of their biggest issues before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET trade deadline: wide receiver.
Kansas City has struggled to get steady production from the position all season, and league insiders say the team has been actively making calls around the league in search of help. One name has kept coming up in those discussions: Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Thomas has become a frequent topic in deadline chatter as his role in Jacksonville has shrunk in recent weeks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport reported that the Chiefs remain intrigued by him, and that the Jaguars have received multiple inquiries on the receiver while turning away previous offers.
Thomas’ usage took another hit in Jacksonville’s 33-10 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday. He played just 19 snaps and finished without a catch, only adding to the questions around where he fits in the offense right now.
The interest is easy to understand. Thomas broke out as a rookie in 2024, putting up 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has not been close to that level of production this season.
Even so, Jacksonville may not be eager to move him. Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reported that the Jaguars have been less inclined to sell, and that they still view Thomas as part of their long-term plans while remaining in playoff contention.
The Chiefs are not the only team circling. The Ringer’s Tom Pelissero reported that Kansas City, the Pittsburgh Steelers and the San Francisco 49ers are all calling around for receiver help, and that multiple receivers are expected to be traded before Tuesday’s deadline.
If Jacksonville decides to keep Thomas, Kansas City could pivot to other names on the market, including Tennessee’s Calvin Ridley or Cleveland’s Jerry Jeudy.
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Jaguars Trade Deadline Debate Comes Down To One Defensive Gamble
With the NFL trade deadline approaching, the Jaguars are weighing whether to make a defensive move that would change the look of their roster for the stretch run. The conversation has centered on a few notable names, including Moro Ojomo, Budda Baker, Jessie Bates and Christian Barmore, each bringing a different mix of upside, fit and financial complication. For Jacksonville, the appeal is obvious: help on defense is hard to find, and the market rarely offers clean solutions.
The challenge is deciding how aggressive to be when the price could include both draft capital and a contract commitment that reaches beyond this season. Baker and Bates would bring proven back-end stability, while Barmore and Ojomo offer a different kind of front-seven boost, but each path comes with tradeoffs the Jaguars have to weigh carefully. For now, it remains a debate rather than a decision, and the deadline will determine whether Jacksonville takes the gamble or stays put. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Face A Brian Thomas Jr. Decision That Could Frustrate Fans
The trade deadline is creeping closer, and Brian Thomas Jr. has become one of the more interesting names on the Jaguars roster. Jacksonville had previously resisted the idea of moving the receiver, but his reduced role in the offense has changed the conversation enough that the team is now reportedly willing to listen if another club calls with an offer.
For a Jaguars team trying to balance present needs with long-term flexibility, the decision lands with general manager James Gladstone. Thomas still offers field-stretching ability, but his usage has dipped this season and his production has followed, leaving Jacksonville to weigh whether keeping him in place is worth more than turning him into future draft capital. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Trade Deadline Plan May Hinge On One Surprising Name
The trade deadline is starting to loom over Jacksonville, and the Jaguars suddenly find themselves in an unusual spot. Reports around the league have them expected to explore a move involving wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., even as the team has publicly pushed back on the idea that he is available. With the deadline approaching, the possibility of the Jaguars operating as both buyers and sellers has added another layer to an already fluid situation.
Thomas name is the one drawing the most attention because it would signal a real shift in how Jacksonville is viewing its roster. Sources suggest he has slipped down the depth chart, which could make him part of a larger effort to reshape the team and address other needs. For a Jaguars team trying to balance present-tense competitiveness with longer-term roster management, what happens here could say plenty about how aggressive they plan to be before the deadline passes. [Read more 🡒]