The Jacksonville Jaguars could be close to giving up on wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., but he remains on the team after the BYE Week. In fact, the 2024 first-round pick may still be part of the Jags' short-term future despite trade speculation ahead of the deadline, based on head coach Liam Coen's remarks.
"Every week's different. I think that's what's kind of special about this group is that, "Hey, every week you got to get new people stepping up and making plays, and he's no different," Coen said following the team's BYE (1:35 mark). "He's going to be able to help us make plays this week. I bet it, I know it."
Coen continued, "We're going to continue to support them and put our arm around them and continue to do what we got to do to make plays on Sundays, and we got to continue to put them in the best position to do so. And so, you know, BT works at it. He cares about this. He cares about winning and losing. Cares about his team."
Based on Coen's remarks, it doesn't look like Jacksonville will trade Thomas ahead of the game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 7. However, things could change in a heartbeat.
Why the Jaguars are still holding onto Brian Thomas Jr.
Liam Coen isn't outright going to say that Brian Thomas Jr. has fallen out of favor, and if the Jaguars were to trade him, they're not going to disclose it publicly. It's also possible that Jacksonville has yet to get a fair offer for the third-year receiver, despite the fact that he should garner ample interest ahead of the trade deadline.
The Houston Texans just gave up a second-round pick for Marvin Harrison Jr. It wouldn't be shocking to find out the Jags want similar compensation for Thomas when you take into account that he's been more productive at the NFL level.
For the time being, though, it seems like Thomas remains a Jaguar.
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Even if Brian Thomas Jr. stays, he may not have a role with the Jaguars
Deadlines spur action, and nobody would bat an eye if teams in need of help at receiver got into a bidding war for Brian Thomas Jr. Although he's struggled with drops and inconsistency dating back to 2025, he also racked up nearly 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie. That may be enough for a team to take a flyer on him.
But even if the Jags don't get a second and are instead offered a third or a fourth-round pick, trading him may still be the best course of action, and he no longer appears to have a role on offense. Heck, Travis Hunter and Josh Cameron have done enough this season to get ahead of him on the depth chart and get more targets.
Either way, the Jaguars have given Brian Thomas Jr. too many opportunities, and he's simply failed to take advantage of them. Barring anything unexpected, that won't change anytime soon.
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