After benching him in Week 7, the Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to trade Brian Thomas Jr. Sure, they've made it clear that they're not interested in moving him. Moreover, there are no credible reports that the Jags want to indeed trade the 2024 first-round pick. That said, it's hard to imagine him sticking around in Duval after watching his role decrease as the season progresses.
Six games into the season, Thomas has been targeted more than three times once. And that time, he had only three catches for 40 yards on nine targets. When you factor in that the Walker, Louisiana native also had a handful of costly drops at crucial times, the decision to bench him in the 34-33 loss to the Houston Texans makes sense.
And if the Jaguars truly believe that they can no longer trust him, trading him would be the best course of action. But if that's the case, Jarvis Landry believes they didn't do enough to put him in a position to succeed.
Jarvin Landry thinks the Jaguars need to be patient with Brian Thomas Jr.
Jarvis Landry talked about Brian Thomas Jr. in a recent episode of his 4th & South podcast. He argues that the Jaguars don't value him nearly enough, noting that other receivers have also dealt with drops but go on to have productive NFL careers eventually. Here's the skinny.
"Right now I don't feel like Jacksonville values him as a receiver. Every wide receiver has drops. Davante Adams, he started with drops. I had drops my first year," Landry told co-host Leonard Fournette (4:50 mark). "There's a lot of people that went on to have Hall of Fame careers that had drops.
Landry continued, "So if you're only judging him by the 3,4, 2, 3, 4 drops here and there or whatever it is, and never giving him a chance again to be effective or develop rhythm or get volume again. Then you're doing this kid a disservice. If you don't value him, go get something for him."
What Landry misses is that for as many receivers who have gone on to thrive after overcoming early struggles, there have also been receivers who have 1,000 yards one season and disappear the next, the proverbial one-year wonders.
Allen Hurns (remember him?) comes to mind. Ditto, Michael Clayton (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Josh Gordon (Cleveland Browns). All three crossed the 1,000-yard mark but weren't able to recreate their success later on for whatever reason. Thomas is currently part of this group.
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The Jaguars have given Brian Thomas Jr. too many chances
It's worth noting that the Jaguars have given Brian Thomas Jr. plenty of opportunities dating back to 2025. Jarvis Landry or anybody can't say with a straight face that they're not helping him. As Leonard Fournette stated later on the podcast, "If you're not consistent, the QB isn't looking for you to get you the ball." That's the reality of the NFL.
You have to produce on a consistent basis. And even then, your production is only going to buy you so much grace. That's the situation Thomas finds himself in after racking up 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns on 82 catches as a rookie but struggling with inconsistency and drops the past two years.
Simply put, the Jaguars cannot keep trusting Brian Thomas Jr. This is why a trade and a fresh start with another team (he'll have plenty of suitors) make the most sense for him right now.
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