Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen left little room for interpretation when addressing the idea that the team could trade wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
“We have no plans of moving Brian Thomas Jr. at all,” Coen told reporters Monday.
The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on Oct. 25 that the Jags “are listening on calls” regarding the 2024 Pro Bowler but that a trade “feels highly unlikely.”
It only takes one general manager to make an overwhelming offer. Realistically, it’s difficult to see how trading Thomas makes sense for Jacksonville.
The second-year wideout isn’t matching the pace he set as a rookie. Through seven games, he has 27 receptions for 365 yards and one touchdown. He’s averaging 23 fewer yards per contest.
That could reflect Jacksonville’s quarterback play as much as it says anything about Thomas.
Trevor Lawrence hasn’t turned the corner under Coen’s tutelage, which was one of the ideas behind hiring the Sean McVay disciple. Lawrence has a 41.9 QBR and 6.3 adjusted yards per attempt, both his lowest since his rookie year in 2021, per Pro Football Reference.
Making any judgments about Thomas on the basis of 2025 might be rash.
More than that, he’s under team control for three more years. His salary cap hits for 2026 ($4 million) and 2027 ($4.7 million) are significantly below the market rate, and his club option in 2028 will inevitably be less than a lot of No. 1 wideouts are making.
Jacksonville would have to get a ton back to equal Thomas’ production in addition to the surplus value he’s providing on a rookie contract.
