Fowler: NFL Execs Could See Jaguars Moving Thomas

It’s not clear whether Brian Thomas Jr.’s days with the Jacksonville Jaguars are numbered yet, but it appears to be headed in that direction.

Reports of the Jags moving BTJ are nothing new, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler added to them Saturday morning.

Per Fowler, executives across the NFL believe that the Jags will strongly consider trading Thomas at the deadline, which is Nov. 10 at 4 p.m.

Fowler even mentioned some specific teams, the first being the Kansas City Chiefs.

Injuries to Taquan Thornton, who is out for the rest of the season, and Rashee Rice, who hasn’t played since Oct. 4, have KC hurting at the receiver position despite its 5-0 record.

Fowler also said the Pittsburgh Steelers were interested “to some extent.”

Michael Pittman Jr. and Roman Wilson are each on IR, so the Steelers could certainly use some help at the position. 

Thomas looked primed to be one of the best receivers in the league after his rookie season. The Jaguars were awful in 2024, finishing 4-13.

However, Thomas was awesome, ending the season with 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns on 87 catches. The next year, the Jags went from awful to awesome, finding 13-4, but Thomas regressed.

Although he remained explosive, averaging the same 14.7 yards per catch that he did as a rookie, Thomas’ numbers regressed significantly overall.

Playing in three fewer games (14 compared to 17 in 2024), Thomas regressed to 48 catches, 707 yards and two touchdowns.

This led to rumors of the Jags moving Thomas over the offseason, which general manager James Gladstone strongly denied.

But while the Jags have remained solid, starting 4-2, Thomas has yet to regain his rookie form in Year 3, which is often when players fully blossom into superstars.

He has nine catches in six games for 105 yards and a touchdown, which reads more like a really good Sunday vs. a third of a season. 

Now, Parker Washington is the man in Jacksonville.

The fourth-year receiver from Penn State has 416 yards and four touchdowns on 26 catches, firmly establishing himself as QB Trevor Lawrence’s main target.

Meanwhile, Thomas has gone from awesome to afterthought. Over the past two weeks, Thomas hasn’t caught a pass and has only combined for 15 snaps. 

A lot can happen between now and Nov. 10, and the Jags have to worry about the task at hand. 

Jacksonville takes on the Indianapolis Colts at home Sunday at 1 on CBS.