The Jacksonville Jaguars were always going to be one of the most interesting teams at the NFL's trade deadline.

They certainly didn't disappoint.

The Jaguars made aggressive moves to strengthen their chances of reaching the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history.

Jacksonville traded for star safety Jessie Bates III and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux early on Monday, then followed with a stunning blockbuster for DT Jordan Davis from the Philadelphia Eagles.

After the trades, the Jaguars have as good an argument as any team to be considered AFC favorites.

However, Jacksonville paid a steep price to go "all-in" on a Super Bowl appearance.

In total, the Jaguars traded away their first- and second-round picks in 2027, fifth- and sixth-round picks in 2028, and their 2029 second-round pick.

Mortgaging their future like that is a huge risk for the Jaguars, but it will be worth it if they reach the Super Bowl.

While the Jaguars were active buyers at the deadline, as expected, the NFL waited to see what they would decide to do with talented wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

BTJ has struggled badly over the last season and a half, after a star-making rookie season in 2024. Thomas has become an afterthought in Jacksonville. He has been buried on the depth chart and has seen his playing time significantly reduced after a continued lack of production and the return of the drops that plagued him in 2025.

Many expected the Jaguars to finally move on from Thomas, and several teams were interested in him if he became available.

In somewhat of a surprise, the Jaguars decided to keep Thomas.

Did they make the right call? Or did the Jaguars make a mistake in keeping Thomas?

Unless Thomas has a dramatic turnaround this season, I believe keeping him was a mistake.

While it is understandable that the organization wouldn't want to trade him to an AFC rival like the Pittsburgh Steelers or Kansas City Chiefs, who were known to be interested, several NFC teams would have loved to acquire the 24-year-old.

The New York Giants are in first place in the NFC East and could have paired BTJ with his LSU teammate, Malik Nabers. The two were an unstoppable WR duo in college, and the pairing could have removed doubt about whether the Giants are legit contenders.

The Los Angeles Rams were supposed to be a super team and started the season as undisputed Super Bowl favorites.

It hasn't worked out as planned. The Rams are only 5-4, and that is after winning three straight, and they are currently in third place in the NFC West and out of the playoffs.

Weeks ago, the Rams lost star WR Davante Adams for 6-10 weeks with a hamstring injury and just lost superstar Puka Nacua with knee and toe injuries that will likely see him placed on injured reserve. 

No other playoff contender had more of a need at WR than the Rams.

The Washington Commanders are likely out of it this season, but also have a desperate need at WR, both now and in the future. Star Terry McLaurin is out for the year, and Stefon Diggs, who will be 33 at the end of the month, is only signed for this season.

Sending BTJ to Washington would have reunited him with Jayden Daniels, his quarterback at LSU.

If Jacksonville turned down a reasonable offer from any of those teams or refused their phone calls, it was a mistake.

For the season, Thomas has only 10 catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns.

He has one catch in Jacksonville's last four games and only four in the last six.

Yet, he still would have likely brought back a second- or third-round in a trade.

For a team that just shipped away so many future draft picks, recouping a pick or two for Thomas would have been incredibly valuable. The Jaguars desperately need future draft picks.

Turning them down for a player who makes zero impact in games makes no sense. Jacksonville has already proven it doesn't need Thomas to win.

Unless the Jaguars plan on greatly increasing Thomas' role over the rest of the season, which is unlikely, not trading him at the deadline was a huge mistake.