The Jacksonville Jaguars surely expected Brian Thomas Jr. to keep improving after an electrifying rookie campaign. However, things haven't played the way they envisioned. The 2024 first-round pick struggled early in the season and missed three games with an ankle sprain.
Although Thomas is close to returning, the Jags have done just fine without him. During his absence, Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington have become Trevor Lawrence's most trusted targets. Now, this doesn't mean that the offense won't welcome his ability to stretch the field can challenge defenses vertically.
However, it's fair to wonder whether Thomas can finish the season strong and whether he can do enough to show the Jaguars that he's a foundational piece on offense. An NFL analyst is already asking whether Jacksonville could move on from the sophomore receiver in 2026.
Steve Palazzolo wonders if Brian Thomas Jr. will stick with the Jaguars
During the Week 13 preview, Steve Palazzolo of the Check the Mic podcast wondered if the Jaguars may want to move on from Brian Thomas Jr., pointing out that Jakobi Meyers has already built a strong rapport with Jakobi Meyers.
"I wonder if it's going to be a discussion this offseason where they say, 'Are we better off with Jacoby Myers?" Palazzolo told co-host Sam Monson (4:58 mark). "Say, Travis Hunter's our one. Jacoby Myers is our high-end possession two, and Parker Washington, who I think his contract might be up now or close to it, is our three. He's a beautiful three, and we actually don't want the inconsistency of Brian Thomas Jr in this mix here, or you're just stacking all of them and saying BTJ, Travis Hunter will still sign, Myers, and we'll have Parker Washington, and we'll just be loaded at potentially loaded at receiver."
Palazzolo continued, "I think they've got some interesting decisions in Jacksonville there, but I think there's already some chemistry with Myers Washington, not only a great, big place as a receiver when he's catching the ball, but as a punt returner."
Before spraining his ankle, Thomas had 30 receptions for 420 yards with one touchdown. He also led the team with nine drops and logged a concerning catch rate of just 50 percent. The former LSU Tiger was practiced in full for Week 13, so there's a strong chance he'll suit up against Tennessee.
Brian Thomas must finish strong to shut down questions about his future with the Jaguars
The one reason the Jacksonville Jaguars could legitimately consider trading Brian Thomas Jr. in the offseason is that, under general manager James Gladstone, the new regime hasn't shied away from cutting ties with players who don't fit their vision.
Already, Thomas was the subject of trade chatter before the deadline, before Liam Coen made it abundantly clear that he wasn't going anywhere. Having said that, he must now prove that the team's trust in him wasn't misguided and that he's still the same dynamic playmaker he was in 2024.
There are six games left in the season. That will be more than enough time for Thomas to show that he'll be with the Jaguars for years to come, and all that trade speculation is nonsense.