JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
Jonathon from Jacksonville
Hearing rumors about BTJ getting traded makes one wonder. I highly doubt we would trade a player only one and a half seasons in the NFL regardless of his number of drops. What say you?
There indeed have been rumors from "national outlets" in recent days that teams were calling the Jaguars about trading for wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. – and that the Jaguars were listening when they received those calls. This would not surprise me in the least. What would absolutely surprise me is if the Jaguars indeed traded Thomas. Yes, he's struggling through seven games of the 2025 NFL season to the point of it being a major concern. He absolutely has had an issue with dropped passes, he appears to have an issue with confidence and he also from this view seems to have an issue running routes across the middle. Thomas, a promising player who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie last season, must work through those issues – the sooner the better. But there's a difference between receiving calls/listening to offers and trading, and my impression is there is a major difference in this case – and my impression is Thomas will be with the Jaguars when the NFL trade deadline passes.
David from Eau Claire, WI
Trade rumors have started. Will it end up being another sixth-round pick for BTJ?
No. And no means no.
Mike from Azores
Hey, John. First, I'm a fan of Travis Hunter and his incredible talent. However, being on the bye week and thinking about the price paid to acquire him, I'm not sure I see the overall value. Looking back, we could have drafted a full-time wide receiver like Emeka Egbuka of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Tetairoa McMillan of the Carolina Panthers in the first round, then a full-time cornerback like Will Johnson of the Arizona Cardinals in the second round – where it was unexpected that he would be available there. Plus, we would have a first-round pick this coming draft. That's three full-time starters versus one guy who it most likely appears will never be a full-time player at two positions. Is the value of that trade really a plus for the Jags? Your opinion, not what the Jags believe! We already know they made their decision.
If rookie wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter is as good as the Jaguars believe he will be at both positions, it will have been worth the selection and the trade. If he's not, he won't be worth the selection and the trade. Hunter has played seven NFL games. We don't have remotely enough of a sample size to determine if this was a good move.
Bob from Coosawatchie, SC
Enjoyed your recent analysis along with Bucky Brooks' on the Huddle Up Podcast. Helped put everything in perspective.
Every once in a while I believe in throwing the fans a bone.
Josh from Jacksonville
Players (via draft, trade, free agency) cost money. Win or lose, a team will spend cash each year on player contracts. The Top 5 in least Cash Spent per Win over the past five seasons are the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Rams are in the Top 10. Obviously, winning more games quickly impacts that metric. Players play, coaches coach, scouts scout, general managers manage, and the owner(s) hold financial responsibility. With their shared goal of winning, how can the Jaguars win more, more quickly?
Draft well and believe in what you're doing enough that you limit free agency over the long term. The first part means you're bringing in good players who fit your system. The second part means you're developing your drafted players and resisting the temptation of spending too much to bring in players other teams don't want for whatever reason.
Bill from Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
What would Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence's passer rating be if his receivers had merely a league average number of drops?
Reese from From Loyal Jaguar Fan in Va
I hope all is well, good sir! I really hope 8-2 down the stretch, but I kind of wish 7-3 down that same stretch. Will 6-4 get us in? Accounting for a little bit of luck of course. Go Jags!!!
The Jaguars are 4-3 through seven games. Ten victories usually gets you in the NFL postseason. Nine victories is a lot iffier.
Crash from Glen Saint Mary
Obi Wan! The Jags have some outstanding weapons. Simplify the offense and let that talent shine. Too much blarney and malarkey. Line up and get after 'em.
Kathy from Palm Coast, FL
Our wonderful kicker has just played badly recently. There has been no speculation as to why. Everyone is so eager to talk about others. But not a word about him. Can you let us know or is it one of those deep dark secrets
There has been plenty of speculation about kicker Cam Little's recent misses. I don't know why he's missing kicks. He's a kicker. Finer NFL minds than mine have tried to figure their minds and failed.
Drew from Buford, GA
Another commentor brought up the results since the Tyson Campbell trade. While there is no such thing as a curse, there is such a thing as team morale. When I see teams winning and then a good player gets traded, I always kind of recoil at this. We can say it's just a business all day long and anyone who is employed that reads this is in that same boat. When our companies are successful and we are a major contributor and get let go, people start getting upset. You can't just say this doesn't factor in because these are "professionals." These are kids and they form bonds. When one of their teammates gets traded, it can matter. I don't know how much TC was beloved by his team, but I do wonder if it has manufactured a morale issue that was not there before.
Former Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell was popular in the locker room. I haven't gotten the sense that there was major shock or anger when he was traded. This is professional football. Trades happen. Players who don't realize this are usually young players and they learn very quickly.
Jon from Charlottetown, PEI
Hey John. I haven't done the research, but it seems that if Trevor runs 7-to-10 times a game the Jags have a much better chance of winning. Do you think Liam will or is pushing him to run more?
I don't think Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen will push Trevor Lawrence to run more because Lawrence is an OK-to-good running quarterback and not a great running quarterback. When teams aren't really expecting Lawrence to run and it happens organically, he's pretty good at it. If they defend Lawrence with the idea that he will run and the Jaguars force the issue, he's not always as good at it.
Shawn from Moore County, NC
Everyone keeps blaming Trevor and while he needs to play better, he isn't the problem. In the last two games he has had no help in the run game. He hasn't thrown any picks. He has been sacked 14 times and receivers have dropped 18 balls. All the people calling for the backup quarterback don't realize how much worse this would be. Of all the problems we have the offensive line is the biggest at the moment. We really miss tight end Brenton Strange. Besides offensive line what do you see as our biggest weakness that needs to be addressed before the trade deadline?
I don't know that there's a pre-deadline trade that will magically cure the issues ailing the Jaguars. I could see a move in the secondary (maybe) or defensive line (maybe a little more likely) or at tight end (maybe about as likely as defensive line). Remember, too: While the offensive line and running game could be better, the passing offense overall – Lawrence and the receivers – also must be better to help the run game. This all works together and if the defense doesn't believe the offense can complete and catch passes – or successfully execute certain routes – it makes the entire operation more difficult.
Brian from Round Rock, TX
Someone once said it's a player's league. That person doesn't understand the NFL. It's equal parts a head coach's league and a quarterback's league. All else matters little. Have you learned it yet, or still figuring it out?
It's definitely a quarterback's league. And a player's league. And the players must believe in the direction of the head coach.
Noah from Nashville, TN
Do you think Walker will become the blue-chip player we desperately need him to be?
If you're referencing Jaguars defensive end Travon Walker, it happened a couple of seasons back. He's currently playing with one hand. He's not as good playing with one hand as two hands because one hand is not as good as two hands.