Brian Thomas Jr.’s second season in the NFL came nowhere close to sustaining the hype created during his rookie year, when he managed to stand out and emerge as one of the league’s promising young receivers despite a frustrating season overall for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With free agency approaching and teams already beginning to make moves, rumors surfaced that Jacksonville could move the receiver during this transaction window, especially given the success other wide receivers have had in contrast to Thomas. However, an insider revealed that this may not be the path the franchise ultimately chooses.
Brian Thomas Jr. Predicted To Stay in Jacksonville For 2026 Season
The Jaguars’ offense transformed dramatically in 2025 with the arrival of head coach Liam Coen, the former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator who emerged as one of the NFL’s most promising modern offensive minds. Even so, Thomas’ inconsistent play stood out.
Initially expected to become the new star of the offense and potentially form one of the NFL’s best receiving duos alongside Travis Hunter, it was Parker Washington and midseason acquisition Jakobi Meyers who thrived in Coen’s system. Despite that, the coaching staff does not appear ready to give up on Thomas just yet.
“Considering how the Jaguars offense flourished down the stretch, it would be a surprise if JAX dealt WR Brian Thomas Jr. There’s been speculation that they could move him, but the Jags value the 2024 first rounder,” insider Jonathan Jones published on his X account.
The main criticisms of Thomas throughout the year centered on his effort on the field. He was often seen avoiding contact and losing focus, which led to communication issues with Trevor Lawrence and several drops. He surpassed 90 receiving yards in just one game this season and finished with only two touchdowns.
Considering how the Jaguars offense flourished down the stretch, it would be a surprise if JAX dealt WR Brian Thomas Jr. There’s been speculation that they could move him, but the Jags value the 2024 first rounder.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) March 8, 2026
In the PFSN WR Impact Metric, Thomas ranked just 71st with a score of 71.9, reflecting the mediocrity of his 2025 campaign and helping fuel speculation that a trade could happen.
Jacksonville’s offense appears to have enough pieces without him, and with so many options, he could lose even more snaps if he fails to rediscover his form.
Still, Coen does not seem ready to move on from the player so quickly. With Hunter trending toward becoming a full-time cornerback while also playing wide receiver in certain packages, Thomas will have opportunities to reclaim a bigger role, especially now that Lawrence has established himself as a reliable quarterback in the league.
