NFL Exec Disputes Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. Trade Stance Amid Rumors At 2026 Deadline

Differing viewpoints have emerged regarding the likelihood of the Jacksonville Jaguars moving wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. before the Nov. 10 NFL trade deadline.

According to Jonathan Jones of The Athletic, the Jags have been "fending off interest" in Thomas for the past year, and they "remain firm" in their desire to keep him.

However, an anonymous rival executive who was asked by Jones if they believe the Jaguars would part ways with BTJ said, "Yes they would."

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Jones added that Thomas struggling and getting benched in the second half of the team's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans "ramped up belief within the league that Jacksonville ultimately will move him by the deadline."

The 24-year-old Thomas was selected 23rd overall by the Jags in the 2024 NFL draft out of LSU.

Early indications suggested Thomas was a superstar in the making, as he earned Pro Bowl honors during his rookie season by recording 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns.

However, his production dropped sharply last season to the tune of 48 receptions for 707 yards and two touchdowns.

Thomas has bottomed out thus far in 2026, registering just nine grabs for 105 yards and one score through six games.

BTJ is clearly behind Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers in Jacksonville's wide receiver pecking order, and he has been supplanted by Josh Cameron and even Travis Hunter as of late also, despite Hunter primarily playing cornerback.

On top of that, quarterback Trevor Lawrence often looks in the direction of tight end Brenton Strange, who is tied for the team lead with 26 receptions.

Jones believes the Jaguars could get a Day 2 draft pick in exchange for Thomas, and if that is the case, then they may be wise to move him rather than continuing to bury him on the depth chart.