Respected Jaguars voice makes a compelling case against trading Brian Thomas Jr.

Following the loss to the Buffalo Bills in the playoffs, Brian Thomas Jr. has become the subject of trade chatter. The Jacksonville Jaguars already let it be known that the third-year receiver is 100 percent part of their future, but that won't stop other clubs from inquiring about his availability in the upcoming months.

Although Thomas is coming off a somewhat disappointing season, he took the league by storm as a rookie when he hauled in 82 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns. Simply put, the 2024 first-round selection has proven that he can take over games, and that could make him a hot commodity among teams in need of wide receiver help.

From the Jags' perspective, trading Thomas in exchange for a high-draft pick would allow them to address other needs. Moreover, they could afford to trade him because they have the ascending Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, and two-way star Travis Hunter in the mix. However, a local beat writer recently made a case against trading Thomas.

A Jaguars voice argues that Brian Thomas Jr. shouldn't be traded (unless the price is right)

John Shipley of Sports Illustrated shared his thoughts on the Brian Thomas Jr. trade speculation, making it abundantly clear that the Jags shouldn't move him unless they get fair compensation in return.

"The Jaguars have a true 1,000-yard receiver and No. 1 talent on their roster for several more seasons of a cost-controlled contract," Shipley wrote. "That is a major bargain for the Jaguars, and they should not part with that advantage unless a team offers them the moon and the stars in the form of a first-round pick."

For context, Thomas is set to have affordable cap hits of $3.9 million and $4.6 million in 2026 and 2027, respectively, so his contract is indeed team-friendly. On top of that, the Jags can use the fifth-year option on his rookie deal, so they could keep him around until 2028 without incurring a massive cap hit.

It's also worth noting that, as underwhelming as Thomas was in 2025, he still hauled in 48 receptions for 707 yards with two touchdowns in 14 games. With one year of experience in Liam Coen's scheme, nobody would bat an eye if he bounces back and recaptures the shape he had as a rookie.

On the other hand, Thomas gives the Jaguars a huge trade asset... one they could use to address some of their most glaring needs.

You may also like: Travis Hunter and 4 Jags players poised for bigger roles in 2026

The Jaguars could address the larger scale roster if they trade Brian Thomas Jr.

For the sake of the argument, let's say the Jaguars do get a low first-rounder or a high second-round pick in return for Brian Thomas Jr. They could use it to add reinforcements at defensive tackle, cornerback, or the pass rusher. Jacksonville would take care of one of their needs and still have Parker Washington, Travis Hunter, and Jakobi Meyers around.

It's also worth noting that if offensive coordinator Grant Udinski leaves for a head-coach job with either the Buffalo Bills or the Cleveland Browns, both teams would become logical landing spots for Thomas, as the two of them have a glaring need at receiver.

The bottom line is that the Jaguars would surely love to keep Brian Thomas Jr. and the element of verticality he brings to the offense. But if a team makes a good enough offer, they shouldn't pass on the possibility to fortify other areas of the roster.