Will The Jaguars Trade Brian Thomas Jr.? What Latest Reports Suggest

Brian Thomas Jr. may be on his way out of Duval County, Florida.

On the same day the NFL's legal tampering window opened, SNY's Connor Hughes reported that the Jacksonville Jaguars are "entertaining" trade offers for their third-year wide receiver.

Thomas, 23, was the Jaguars' first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. After a productive rookie season – 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns on 87 catches – that culminated with a Pro Bowl nod, Thomas took a step back in output in 2025. He finished last year with 707 yards and two touchdowns on 48 catches.

One could attribute Thomas' drop in production to the three games he missed with an ankle injury, though that wouldn't account for his average yards per game and average yards per target dropping.

It also doesn't account for the worrying leap in dropped pass rate. Pro Football Focus had Thomas at a 13.8% dropped-on-target pass rate in 2025, up more than double from 6.5% in 2024.

Another factor is the increased competition for target share as rookie Travis Hunter and midseason addition Jakobi Meyers joined the team. Parker Washington also broke out in his third season.

The Jaguars have already extended Meyers, and Hunter and Washington are both set to return in 2026. After a troubled 2025, Thomas' target share in Jacksonville could continue to shrink in his third season.

Conversely, Thomas could become one of the most valuable receivers available this offseason for teams that need pass-catching help. With the Cowboys' George Pickens and Colts' Alec Pierce – the top pending free agents at the position – remaining in Dallas and Indianapolis, respectively, Jacksonville could fetch a hefty return by dealing a young receiver with a high ceiling.

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Brian Thomas Jr. trade rumors

SNY's Connor Hughes flagged the New York Giants and New York Jets as two teams among the most interested in trading for Thomas. Both teams sought to acquire the second-year wideout at last year's trade deadline, per Hughes, but they were "rebuffed."

Hughes said in his report that Jacksonville is no longer as protective of Thomas as it was last October before the deadline.

"It's not about being completely and totally blown away," Hughes said. "In fact, multiple sources I talked to believe that something ultimately could get done for a price that is a bit more reasonable."

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The two New York teams may still be looking to acquire Thomas ahead of his third season if the Jaguars place him on the trade block.

ESPN's Rich Cimini wrote in a social media post on March 9 that Jets fans should "keep an eye" on Thomas as a potential target for "Gang Green" after New York missed out on signing Pierce in free agency.

Thomas still has two more years on his rookie deal in addition to a fifth-year option that can be picked up after his third season – next year. He will turn 24 during the 2026 season.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brian Thomas Jr. trade rumors: Jaguars could move wide receiver