The NFL trade deadline may still be almost two weeks away, but some teams have gotten a jump start on the fun. 

The Indianapolis Colts, the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 8 opponent, have already thrown in the towel on this season. On Tuesday, the Colts made a pair of seismic trades. 

First, they sent eight-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks. Just hours later, the Colts traded star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner back to the San Francisco 49ers. Buckner spent the first four years of his career with SF before the Colts traded the 13th overall pick in 2020 to acquire him. 

On Thursday, the Tennessee Titans, another division rival of the Jaguars, shipped Jeffery Simmons, arguably the best DT in the NFL, to the Chicago Bears for a package including two first-round picks. 

All three trades figure to make a big impact on this season’s playoff race. 

Meanwhile, the Jaguars, who have proven to be one of the AFC’s top contenders, are expected to be one of the trade deadline’s most interesting teams. 

As the Jaguars attempt to reach the Super Bowl for the first time, they could be on the lookout for reinforcements, especially along the defensive line and in the secondary. 

However, it is a trade where the Jaguars would be the seller that could have the biggest impact on the race to Super Bowl LXI. 

The Athletic made a list of 10 hypothetical trades that could shape the race to the Super Bowl, and the Jaguars' decision to move on from talented but struggling wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. came in at number three. 

The Los Angeles Rams tried to build a super team this offseason. The Rams traded for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, giving up young, talented edge rusher Jared Verse plus three draft picks, including a 2027 first-rounder. LA also gave up its 2026 first, fifth, and sixth-round picks, and next year’s third-round selection for two-time All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie. 

The Rams also convinced DT Aaron Donald, one of the game’s best players ever, to come out of retirement. 

To this point, it hasn’t worked. 

The Rams are 3-4 and in third place in the NFC West. If the season ended today, they would miss the playoffs. 

To make matters worse, star WR Davante Adams is expected to miss 6-10 weeks with a hamstring injury. 

Could BTJ save the Rams’ season?

The Athletic believes he could and proposed a trade to send the embattled 24-year-old to LA. 

"Compensation: Third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick

"The Rams tried to play it too cute in the draft and live in two timelines, taking quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick when the best option this season would have been a receiver. Davante Adams is 33 and had hamstring issues last season — it wasn’t hard to predict he would miss games this season. Puka Nacua has had injury and off-field issues. How would KC Concepcion — whom I rated higher than Makai Lemon — look in their offense? They could rectify that mistake by trading for Thomas Jr. The Jaguars should be much more willing to trade Thomas Jr. to the NFC, rather than an AFC contender. Thomas Jr. would infuse much-needed speed to the offense, while his vertical route tree would complement Nacua, who makes his living in the middle of the field."

If the Jaguars get an offer like this from the Rams, they should take it without hesitation.

Thomas has clearly fallen out of favor in Jacksonville and was benched for the second half of the Jaguars' Week 6 loss. If the Jaguars can get a third- and fifth-round pick for a player who is no longer a part of their future plans, while also sending Thomas to the NFC, it is a win-win-win for both teams and Thomas.

Jacksonville should be buyers at the deadline, but that doesn't mean they should turn down a significant offer for BTJ.

If the Jaguars can add a player or two who can help their defense now while also adding future draft capital for Thomas, they will be winners at the deadline.