As the NFL trade deadline approaches, there is one name the Jacksonville Jaguars were rumored to be taking inquiries about: wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. After a brilliant rookie season in 2024, Thomas has struggled in 2025, and some fans are already calling for the Jags to give up on him.
Yet that is something the Jaguars are not likely to do. As underwhelming as Thomas has been, he was on fire before. Head coach Liam Coen has openly said he still believes in his star wide receiver, and looking at his rookie stats, it's easy to see why; the 2024 first-round pick ended his rookie season with 82 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Evidently, it isn't just Coen that still has faith in Thomas. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has had his own issues this season, and so it isn't altogether surprising that he's firmly on the receiver's side. And with No. 16 standing behind him, Thomas is even less likely to end up being traded away.
What Trevor Lawrence’s support means for the Jaguars’ plans at receiver
After their bye, the Jaguars are preparing to take on the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 9, and Lawrence was asked if he is losing faith in Thomas. Not only does Lawrence still believe in him but also said it is simply an expected part of his development.
"He is in his second year, and I think that's part of developing as a player in this league, and I've gone through a lot of my own challenges as well in times where maybe I didn't play my best and felt like I was leaving some stuff out there," Lawrence said, via Jared Feinberg of Sports Illustrated. "And so I think us just having that relationship, being able to talk to him, he's been awesome with me and very receptive, and I think the communication has been great, and I’ve got all the confidence that he's going to play really well and be just fine."
So far this season, Thomas has hauled in just 27 catches for 365 yards with one touchdown. Moreover, he's logged a concerning nine drops.
Trevor Lawrence's remarks give Jaguars fans a reason for optimism
So far this season, Trevor Lawrence has had more chemistry with rookie Travis Hunter than he has with Brian Thomas Jr. Then again, the fifth-year quarterback was quick to point out that Thomas isn't the only player on the roster having issues with drops and miscommunication.
As Lawrence himself acknowledged, he has had some issues this season adjusting to Coen's new scheme, and other members of the Jaguars receiving corps have been struggling, too. Altogether, Lawrence's point is clear: the problem is the team as a whole, and not just Thomas.
It's clear that, for now at least, Thomas isn't going anywhere. He still has time to redeem himself, including the upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders. And, like Lawrence, he's operating with an entirely new coaching staff and under a new scheme. It's not entirely unexpected that he would need time to adjust, and it's certainly not a reason to trade him away.