The Kansas City Chiefs still need help at wide receiver, and the trade deadline remains the obvious place to go shopping. There are other holes on the roster, sure, but nothing feels more urgent than giving Patrick Mahomes another reliable target.
One name that fit the bill was Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr. He checked a lot of boxes for Kansas City: immediate help, long-term upside, and a contract situation that would have made him more than just a rental. Thomas is under contract on his 2024 rookie deal through 2027, and he also would have a 2028 fifth-year option.
But that path looks shaky now. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, a move for Thomas is not expected to happen, even with teams showing interest, including the Chiefs.
“Kansas City had interest in Jacksonville's Brian Thomas Jr., but the Jaguars have been less inclined to sell on the former first-rounder,” Breer writes.
That’s a rough update for Kansas City, because Thomas would have been an ideal fit for what the Chiefs need right now. He could have raised the ceiling of the receiver room immediately while also giving the team a piece to build around beyond this season.
With Rashee Rice back and Xavier Worthy and Cyrus Allen capable of providing occasional sparks, the Chiefs still need a more dependable answer at the position. Thomas looked like the best realistic upgrade on the board, unless something wild happened with Garrett Wilson and the New York Jets.
Now, though, that possibility appears to be fading fast. The Jaguars seem to have taken Thomas off the table, and they have little reason to help out one of their AFC rivals.
That leaves Kansas City looking elsewhere. Josh Downs of the Indianapolis Colts and Hollywood Brown of the Philadelphia Eagles remain the more realistic names to watch.
In Other News...
Trevor Lawrence Got Dragged Into Another Al Michaels Broadcast Mess
Thursday nights Jaguars spotlight came with an unexpected detour when Al Michaels mixed up Trevor Lawrences draft year on the air, a slip that quickly spread across social media and turned into the latest reminder of how closely every national broadcast is scrutinized. For Jacksonville, it was one of those odd moments where the teams franchise quarterback became part of a much bigger conversation than the game itself.
Lawrence has been in the public eye long enough that a mistake like that lands fast, and fans wasted little time piling on as the clip circulated. Michaels has already acknowledged the retirement question in the past, saying he and Amazon would figure out the right time together, and this latest broadcast mess only added more fuel to that ongoing discussion. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Have A Win-Now Trade Deadline Decision To Make
As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Jaguars find themselves in the familiar spot of weighing whether to stay patient or push chips in for a roster that has shown enough promise to justify a real move. Defensive tackle, defensive end and safety all stand out as areas where help could make a difference, and the list of possible targets reflects that urgency. Names like Budda Baker, Derrick Brown, Christian Barmore and Khalil Mack all fit the kind of upgrade Jacksonville would be considering if it wants to sharpen the roster for the stretch run.
The challenge, of course, is that deadline shopping is rarely simple, especially when the asking price for proven talent can climb quickly. Jacksonville has options to explore, but the bigger question is how aggressive it wants to be and which position it values most as it tries to balance immediate help with the long view. For a team trying to make the most of its current window, the next move could say plenty about how the Jaguars see themselves right now. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars May Be Willing To Go Further Than Fans Expected
The Jaguars are still shopping for help up front as the trade deadline approaches, and the urgency only grew after DaVon Hamilton landed on injured reserve with a knee injury. Jacksonville has made it clear it wants to strengthen its defensive front for the stretch run, and the search has already included a swing at one of the leagues more established interior linemen.
James Palmer reported that the Jaguars pursued Jeffery Simmons, a sign the front office may be willing to be more aggressive than some fans expected. The attempt did not get across the finish line because of divisional constraints, but it does show Jacksonville is exploring meaningful upgrades rather than just depth pieces as it looks to shore up the line before the postseason. [Read more 🡒]