Why Jaguars may still be reluctant to trade Brian Thomas Jr.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are riding high after defeating the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football, but as the trade deadline looms, speculation surrounds the fate of wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who has seen a diminished role on offense following a disappointing sophomore season.

There have reportedly been multiple teams interested, but the Jaguars have been reticent, and several NFL insiders are explaining why. According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Kansas City was interested in acquiring Thomas ahead of Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline, but Jacksonville was reluctant to sell.

Breer noted that while Thomas hasn’t been particularly productive statistically and isn’t an ideal fit for head coach Liam Coen’s offense, his ability to threaten defenses downfield remains valuable. Opposing defenses must account for Thomas’ speed and big-play potential, which can create opportunities in the running game and open up space underneath for receivers Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington.

That assessment is consistent with ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler’s take from earlier this week.

“Several teams are interested (Chiefs and Steelers are in the receiver market) and are confident Jacksonville will eventually move him. But the Jaguars have not shown a willingness to do so yet,” Fowler said. “As was pointed out to me, the Jaguars have a window to win big and are in the business of adding, not subtracting. And Thomas still has value as a field-stretching outside receiver.”

Thomas had a huge rookie season, catching 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most promising young receivers. However, he struggled during Coen’s first season in Jacksonville, finishing 2025 with 48 receptions for 707 yards and two touchdowns.

His role has declined even further in 2026, with just 10 receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns through eight games, despite ongoing effort through the offseason and training camp to grow the chemistry between Thomas and Trevor Lawrence.

Meanwhile, Meyers and Washington have emerged as Lawrence’s primary targets, with Washington adding a 50-yard touchdown reception in Thursday’s 33-10 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.

Yet if Fowler and Breer are right, Jacksonville sees Thomas as valuable, even without an impressive stat line. His presence as a legitimate deep threat can influence how opposing defenses align and allocate coverage, even if Lawrence ultimately throws the football elsewhere.

Speculation will continue until the deadline passes, but for now, Jacksonville is 6-2 and pursuing another AFC South title, so it makes sense that the Jaguars would be reluctant to subtract a talented receiver from an offense that continues to find ways to succeed.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Why Jaguars may still be reluctant to trade Brian Thomas Jr.