Brian Thomas Jr.
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Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. Focused on Improving After Early Struggles”
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers watched 1 superstar wide receiver walk out the door in free agency with franchise legend Mike Evans — a player arguably well past his prime.
If they can replace him quickly, that might go a long way toward assuaging fears that the Buccaneers might be headed toward a lost season in 2026, followed by what would likely be a massive rebuilding effort.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport thinks the Buccaneers could make that happen by listing them as one of the top landing spots in a possible trade for Jacksonville Jaguars Pro Bowl wide receiver and former 1st round pick Brian Thomas Jr.
In Davenport’s trade pitch, the Buccaneers give up their 2026 1st round pick (No. 15 overall) and 2026 4th round pick (No. 116 overall) in exchange for Thomas.
“Making a move this expensive for Thomas would be a bold play and one with more than a little risk — wide receiver is far from the only need on Tampa’s roster,” Davenport wrote. “But adding Thomas would replace the big-bodied boundary receiver the team lost when Evans departed, and the reality is that while the Buccaneers have a window in a winnable NFC South, that window may not stay open much longer with young teams like the Carolina Panthers seemingly on the rise.”
Brian Thomas Jr.’s Numbers Plummeted in 2025
The Jaguars made a surprise run to the AFC South title and the playoffs in 2025 under 1st year head coach Liam Coen — even more surprising by how little Thomas had to do with their success.
After putting up 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024 as a rookie and making the Pro Bowl, Thomas had just 48 receptions for 707 yards and 2 touchdowns in 2025. He also missed 3 games due to injuries after playing all 17 games in 2024.
“It was just adversity, which gives you a lot to grow from,” Thomas said after the season. “I wouldn’t call it frustrating. I mean, it just gives you something to build off. You know what you’ve got to do and you know what you’ve got to do to sustain (success).”
Brian Thomas Jr. Showed Frustration Before Season
The problems for Thomas started during training camp, when he seemed to never get on the same page as quarterback and former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence.
The Jaguars selected Thomas in the 1st round (No. 23 overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.
“Thomas looked uncomfortable in training camp,” ESPN’s Michael DiRocco wrote on February 22. “In addition to learning the new offense, he and quarterback Trevor Lawrence had some issues connecting on throws. Thomas twice took off his helmet and slammed it to the ground after an incompletion and he kicked a ball, which bounced off a bystander, after failing to make what would have been a high-difficulty catch in the end zone.”
Whatever is going on with Thomas mentally, his presence with the Buccaneers would be welcomed with open arms.
With Evans gone, that puts the impetus on veteran Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka to perform at a high level. Godwin was almost completely MIA in 2025 and has missed 18 games due to injuries over the last 2 seasons.
While Egbuka started his rookie season on fire and led the Buccaneers in receiving as a rookie, the 2025 1st round pick went totally missing down the stretch as Tampa Bay finished 8-9 overall and missed the playoffs for the 1st time since 2019.