Brian Thomas Jr.’s time in Jacksonville could be coming to an end.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Saturday that the Jaguars might be open to moving the 2024 Pro Bowl receiver, writing on X that “multiple league execs believe Jacksonville will seriously consider trading Brian Thomas Jr. at the deadline now that his role has decreased.”
The report comes days after Thomas was benched for the entire second half of the Jaguars’ 34-31 loss to the Texans in London on Sunday.
Thomas, 24, played just 15 offensive snaps in the first half without a catch on two targets.
“It’s week to week. Guys have to step up and make plays,” Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said after the game.
Thomas hasn’t had a catch in two straight games and has just nine catches for 105 yards and one touchdown through six games this season.
It’s a stunning fall for the former LSU star, whom Jacksonville selected with the No. 23 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Thomas emerged as one of the league’s most promising young receivers during his rookie campaign, hauling in 87 passes for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns while earning a Pro Bowl selection.
But his production fell off a cliff last season, when he caught just 48 receptions for 707 yards and two scores across 14 games.
Thomas has fallen behind Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers in Jacksonville’s wide receiver depth chart, while two-way star Travis Hunter took on a larger role in the Jags’ passing game in Week 6.
Fowler identified the Chiefs and Steelers as teams that are looking for receiving help during an appearance on “SportsCenter,” although neither has been reported to have made an offer for Thomas.
The Jaguars previously shut down trade talks around Thomas, with general manager James Gladstone saying in March that the pass-catcher was a big part of the team’s future.
