Even though Brian Thomas Jr. has struggled, the Jacksonville Jaguars are fully behind him. After a report surfaced that they were listening to offers for the second-year wideout, head coach Liam Coen made it abundantly clear that the Jags weren't moving him.
Coen later said that he is optimistic Thomas will hit his stride. He'd better, as Jacksonville will need him to step up in light of the latest Travis Hunter injury update.
The Jaguars need Brian Thomas Jr. after placing Travis Hunter on Injured Reserve
The Jaguars announced that they're placing Travis Hunter on Injured Reserve, meaning that he'll miss at least four games, but it could be more depending on how serious the knee injury he suffered is.
Before Hunter got hurt, the Jaguars were expecting to put more on his plate. However, that plan has now come to a screeching halt. And with the reigning Heisman Trophy out for the foreseeable future, Thomas is back at being the team's WR1. Coen, for his part, believes he'll come through, noting that he's had his best week of practice thus far this season.
"I really think watching this week's practice, feeling BT out there, specifically Wednesday, Thursday, not as much kind of the bonus day. He practiced the best I've seen him practice," Coen responded when asked if Hunter's absence presented Thomas an opportunity to step up (6:33 mark). "I mean that, truly believe that, told him that, and really expect him to show up and make some huge plays for us as we go."
Coen continued, "And look, it's not to have to go and be anybody but the best version of BTJ, and that's going to be damn good enough."
Thomas played at a Pro Bowl level as a rookie, hauling in 82 receptions for 1,282 yards with 10 touchdowns. Expected to take the next step in 2025, he's instead regressed. Aside from catching less than 50 percent of his targets, the LSU Tiger has logged a league-worst nine drops. Now, the Walker, Louisiana native has a chance to validate the team's decision not to trade him.
Brian Thomas Jr. has a chance to remind the Jaguars how dominant he is
Brian Thomas Jr. was the fourth receiver off the board in the 2024 but was probably the best one, even if former LSU Tiger teammate Malik Nabers also came through for the New York Giants. Looking back, though, it's easy to forget that it took him a while to hit his stride.
Although Thomas showed flashes early in 2024, it wasn't until the second half that he put it all together. Now, he's been asked to run a more complete route tree. That's probably hindered his production, but now that he's had more time to get acclimated to Liam Coen's system, he should play better. Heck, it's not as if the former first-round pick suddenly forgot to play.
Thomas showed glimpses of the game-changer he is against the Kansas City Chiefs and the Seattle Seahawks earlier this season, hauling in a combined 12 catches for 170 yards. The Jaguars now need him to be that player on a consistent basis.
If the flip switches, and Brian Thomas Jr. returns to form, the Jaguars will be in good shape even after losing Travis Hunter.