Seattle sports, on tap daily

NFL Execs Aren’t Shocked Brian Thomas Jr. Is a Trade Target, and Neither Should Jacksonville Fans Be

Jacksonville Jaguars logo on gradient background

Written by

in

Jacksonville Jaguars logo on gradient background
Jacksonville Jaguars logo on gradient background — Created by the Sports On Tap desk | Source : Sports On Tap (team logos property of their respective owners)

The Jacksonville Jaguars are heading into their Week 7 bye leading the AFC South, but the buzz around the team isn’t about their record: it’s all about Brian Thomas Jr. The Jaguars’ first-round wide receiver from the 2024 NFL Draft sat out the entire second half of Week 6. Now, multiple NFL executives reportedly believe Jacksonville will “seriously consider” trading Thomas, a move that really shouldn’t surprise anyone who has been watching.

The Writing Was on the Wall for Thomas Jr.

This isn’t some out-of-the-blue rumor. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday that multiple league execs are convinced the Jaguars are looking to deal Thomas. Frankly, all the signs from this season, and even stretching back to the NFL offseason, pointed to Thomas being a prime trade chip. His role has absolutely plummeted, making him a very reasonable trade candidate. It just makes you wonder if they knew this was coming the whole time.

What’s really pushing Thomas Jr. to the trade block? Other guys have simply stepped up. Parker Washington has completely broken out, establishing himself as a No. 1 wide receiver in Liam Coen’s offense. Jakobi Meyers is a very strong No. 2 option, giving the Jaguars reliable hands. Plus, Josh Cameron has played his way into a much bigger role, and Travis Hunter is getting on the field and making a real impact as a receiver. When you look at that depth chart, the Jaguars don’t really have a pressing need for Thomas anymore. It’s tough, but that’s how the NFL goes.

What a Trade Means for Jacksonville’s Season

While moving Thomas Jr. might mean the Jags have to explore some other depth options at wide receiver, the potential return for a first-rounder could be super appealing. Think about it: a high draft pick or a solid veteran could really move the needle for a team leading its division. It’s not locked in like that Marvin Harrison Jr. trade was, but Thomas is definitely a name to keep a very close eye on as the trade deadline approaches.

Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders make a ton of sense, and so do the New York Giants. They could be looking for a long-term option at receiver, and Thomas still has that first-round pedigree. All indications are that a deal is very much under consideration for the Jaguars. This trade situation is one you absolutely have to monitor, because it could shape the Jaguars’ season in a big way.

This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.

Originally reported by The Sporting News.

About the author

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *