ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky identifies the rookie wideout as the essential catalyst to unlock Trevor Lawrence’s ceiling and propel Jacksonville toward AFC South dominance this season.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have the potential to absolutely dominate the AFC South like last season because of Trevor Lawrence’s outstanding performance.
Repeating the same formula with a more heavily loaded division might not exactly work this season. It can, if Brian Thomas Jr. develops an immaculate bond with Lawrence down the field.
Dan Orlovsky Believes in Brian Thomas Jr.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky emphasized that Thomas Jr. is the catalyst quarterback Trevor Lawrence needs to unlock his true potential for the Jaguars.
"He has to,” Orlovsky told colleague Laura Rutledge when asked if he can elevate his game next season. "Trevor hasn't put together two really good seasons. I think 22 was his first and best like breakout year, and then 23, it was just okay. Last year, phenomenal season. And can he do it again? To do it again, he's going to need Brian Thomas Jr. to take a massive step forward.”
Lawrence’s stats have seen a steep drop, but having a reliable wideout could potentially change the entire picture in Lawrence’s ceiling this season.
“I'm high on Jacksonville, but I'm high on Jacksonville because I sit there and go 'too talented of a quarterback and too talented of a receiver' to repeat their 2025 stat line. Both those guys, Trevor's got to do it again, Brian Thomas Jr. got to get back to that 2024 form."
Liam Coen, Trevor Lawrence Also on The Same Page
The staff at Jacksonville knows this too well, and that’s precisely why developing a chemistry between the two is on top of Liam Coen’s priority list for their OTAs.
"Our average depth of target went up towards the second half of the season, but we've got to keep pushing that envelope," Coen said following practice. "Especially with him and Brian Thomas Jr. I think it's the chemistry between he and BT, first and foremost. Working on that chemistry. It was nice to see a great start to that today live and in person. I think those two have worked at it this spring, thus far throughout phase one, phase two, and then showed up in a nice way today.”
Even Lawrence knows the fact himself, and is ready to spend the extra hours on the field to make it happen.
"We've put a lot of work in all spring really, just trying to get the timing down, the chemistry, all those things, get on the same page, and it's starting to pay off," Lawrence said.
"It doesn't always happen immediately. Like sometimes it takes a little time. But he's [Thomas] super committed to it and so am I. And I think us getting those extra reps is paying off."
Of course, Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers will be there, but it is Thomas Jr. on whom the entire franchise is counting on.
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