Brian Thomas Jr. says he hasn't lost confidence despite trade rumors

Walking off the field after the Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Houston Texans in London, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. felt a tap on his shoulder. The third-year receiver was essentially benched in the second half of the game as he didn’t record a single snap in the tightly fought contest.

The person that tapped him was teammate Jakobi Meyers, who had a simple message for Thomas.

“‘We’re going to fight. Going to find a way through this,” he said the veteran receiver told him. Thomas said he’s leaned on Meyers as he’s gone through a rough patch in the season.

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Thomas has been the subject of trade rumors for the second consecutive season after a slow start to the year. He has nine receptions on 20 targets this season for 105 yards and a lone touchdown.

He’s seen a decrease in snaps as the Jaguars have turned to other receivers to supplement their offense and the second-half benching against the Texans was the latest in a downward trend for the wide receiver.

“Everybody is entitled to their own opinion,” Thomas told reporters when asked was it frustrating to hear his name in trade talks again this season. “I just go out there and do what I do. Go out there and be the best player I can be.”

Brian Thomas Jr. says his confidence isn’t shaken ahead of game vs. Indianapolis Colts

Thomas told reporters that his confidence wasn’t shaken despite his rough start to the season. He’s found other ways to help the team, clearing defenders with physical blocks against the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles on touchdown plays.

He also hasn’t shown signs of visible frustration or seemed uninterested on the sideline as sometimes happens when players see a decrease in play time.

“There’s more things out there to do. I’m just trying to be a team player,” he said in the locker room on Oct. 28. “Going out there, helping out, trying to do anything I can to help the team win. Just trying to do everything I can to be the best team player.”

Head coach Liam Coen has supported Thomas, saying that he’s excited to attack the week with him. He added that the team would continue to put him in the best position to be successful.

So much of the offseason was centered around Jacksonville’s downfield play with Thomas and quarterback Trevor Lawrence, but it hasn’t shown up through six games. This might be a good week to explore it as he has found success against the Colts’ defense in the past.

During his rookie season, Thomas recorded two games of more than 100 receiving yards against the Colts. He logged 12 catches for 225 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis that season

While Thomas said any week is a good week for a bounce back. Maybe this one will provide some extra juice for him as he still remains confident in his abilities.

“I feel like I still know what I can do, I just have to go out there and do it,” he said. “Show everybody what I can do.”

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Brian Thomas Jr. says he hasn’t lost confidence despite trade rumors