Brian Thomas Jr.
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Pittsburgh Steelers insider Mark Kaboly argued the team should target Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas in a trade.
Insider Mark Kaboly couldn’t have made it anymore clear. The Pittsburgh Steelers should make adding immediate help at wide receiver their top priority this offseason.
Fortunately for the Steelers, they will have several intriguing options in NFL free agency. Finding a young wideout in the draft is also a possibility.
But Kaboly argued the Steelers should first pursue a potential blockbuster trade for former first-round wideout Brian Thomas Jr.
“The Steelers are extremely thin at the position, and drafting one, even in the first round, might not solve the problem immediately,” Kaboly wrote. “Mike Evans, Romeo Doubs, or maybe ‘Hollywood’ Brown or Christian Kirk, but a trade is the route I’d try first.
“Brian Thomas Jr. would be at the top of the list. The Steelers were interested last year, to a degree, in the Jaguars receiver, but talks fell through.
“Thomas would be a perfect fit with his talent, and his price tag is inviting. He is owed just less than $5 million for the next two years, combined with a club option for 2028. With that salary, the return will likely come at a significant price.”
Playing for Pittsburgh’s old AFC Central rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Thomas has posted 135 catches, 1,989 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 31 games.
As a rookie, Thomas made the Pro Bowl in 2024. He had 48 catches, 707 receiving yards and two scores during 2025.
Could the Steelers Have a Chance to Acquire WR Brian Thomas?
It shouldn’t be hard for fans to see why the Steelers have interest in acquiring Thomas.
Yes, the receiver experienced a sophomore slump of sorts. He caught only 52.7% of his targets last season versus the 65.4% he hauled in as a rookie.
It wasn’t because he ran longer routes during 2025; Thomas averaged more yards per target in 2024 than last year.
But the Jaguars had a much more balanced offensive attack under first-year head coach Liam Coen. Fellow receiver Parker Washington also emerged as a budding star.
Thomas remains one of the most promising young wideouts around the league. The Steelers desperately need someone with that kind of talent to play opposite D.K. Metcalf in 2026.
In addition to being talent, Thomas is cheap. He has two years remaining on his rookie contract with another season as a team option.
The much harder thing to understand, though, is why the Jaguars might trade him. But Kaboly isn’t the only one pushing the deal as a possibility.
93.7 The Fan’s Andrew Fillipponi told 92.5 FM in Northeast Florida during late February the Steelers have engaged the Jaguars in trade talks for Thomas. According to Fillipponi, the two teams also discussed the receiver at last year’s trade deadline.
What a Thomas Trade Could Cost?
Kaboly seemed to conclude in his article Tuesday that based on the receiver’s low salary, the trade cost to acquire him would be significant.
That makes a lot of sense. But Kaboly said something different on the radio Monday.
“Now what’re you going to give up for him? Probably not that much. Everybody always thinks it’s going to be two firsts, no, probably not.” Kaboly said on 93.7 The Fan, via Still Curtain’s Ryan Pawlowski. “Maybe not even a first or a second (round pick).”
That shocking low trade proposal had Steelers fans jumping up and down.
Again, it’s obvious why the Steelers would want Thomas. The team will be very interested if the trade wouldn’t involve a first or second-rounder.
Pittsburgh fans, though, will have to wait to see if the Jaguars really have interest in parting with Thomas.
Just last year, there was buzz the Jaguars could deal quarterback Trevor Lawrence to Pittsburgh. Obviously, nothing came of those rumors.