The Brian Thomas Jr. trade chatter isn’t going away, and now it’s reached the point where the Jaguars sound at least willing to hear people out.
For about a year, Thomas has been the subject of speculation, but Jacksonville has kept him in place. Even during this season, when his role has become a real question, the message around the team had been that the Jaguars weren’t looking to move him. That stance appears softer now with the deadline approaching.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Sunday that Jacksonville is prepared to take calls.
“Jacksonville has resisted trade overtures so far, but it sounds like they’re going to listen before Tuesday. We’ll see if they make a deal,” Schefter said on Sunday.
The timing makes sense given how little Thomas has been used in Liam Coen’s offense. The fit has never really taken hold, and his snap counts have dropped as a result. He played only 15 snaps in Week 6 and 19 in Week 9.
The production has followed the same pattern. Thomas has 10 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns this season, and he has already gone three games without a reception.
Still, there’s a case for keeping him around. SI’s Albert Breer recently noted that even when Thomas isn’t getting the ball, his ability to stretch the field still brings value to the offense. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler also pointed out that Jacksonville is in win-now mode, which makes the idea of subtracting from the roster a tougher sell.
That leaves general manager James Gladstone with the call: hold onto Thomas and keep the speed element in the offense, even in a limited role, or turn him into future draft capital and use that to strengthen the roster later.
In Other News...
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 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 🡒]
Jaguars Face A Trade Deadline Decision On Their Pass Rush
The Jaguars pass rush has become one of the more practical roster questions heading into the trade deadline, especially with the defensive end group still looking thin enough to invite outside help. ESPN analysts have already floated a few names who could fit the need, and the conversation has naturally turned toward whether Jacksonville should try to reinforce the edge before the market closes.
Josh Sweat, Yaya Diaby and Jermaine Johnson are among the options being discussed, but any move would have to make sense against the Jaguars salary cap and draft capital. That is the balancing act now: the front office has a clear need on defense, yet the cost of fixing it could determine whether Jacksonville stands pat or tries to make a more aggressive push. [Read more 🡒]