Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who enjoyed an impressive rookie season with 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, is currently experiencing a challenging second year. Under new head coach Liam Coen, expectations were high for Thomas to emerge as a key offensive weapon for quarterback Trevor Lawrence. However, his performance through the first half of the 2025 season has fallen short of those expectations.
Reports from The Athletic’s Dianna Russini indicate that the Jaguars are considering trade opportunities for Thomas ahead of the Nov. 4 trade deadline, despite the likelihood of a move appearing low. So far in the season, Thomas has managed only 27 receptions on 55 targets for 365 yards and one touchdown. While he leads the Jaguars in target attempts, his consistency issues have raised concerns, particularly given that he has already recorded nine drops—surpassing the seven drops he had during his rookie campaign.
Since joining the league, Thomas has seen a decline in both his yards per route run and average yards per target, signaling a downturn in his effectiveness. The entry of first-round rookie Travis Hunter Jr. has possibly diminished Thomas’s role on the team, prompting the Jaguars to explore potential trade scenarios to avoid further devaluation of his performance.
Additionally, the Pittsburgh Steelers have shown interest in bolstering their wide receiver corps throughout the season. Although there is no current link between Thomas and the Steelers, past reports indicate their admiration for him during the 2024 NFL Draft, where he was a top consideration before they ultimately chose offensive tackle Troy Fautanu. Given this history, if Thomas becomes available on the trade market, the Steelers might be poised to act swiftly.
This situation presents a pivotal moment for both Thomas and the Jaguars. A potential trade could offer Thomas a fresh start, while the Jaguars might benefit from acquiring different assets to enhance their roster. As the trade deadline approaches, the developments surrounding Thomas could significantly impact the team’s strategy and future.