The New York Jets are considering making a seismic offensive move.
NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY revealed that the Jacksonville Jaguars are “entertaining offers” for wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.
Hughes revealed that the Jets and the New York Giants “explored” a potential trade at last year’s deadline, “but Jacksonville wasn’t willing to do any deal.”
“That stance has changed,” Hughes wrote.
ESPN’s Rich Cimini said he believes the Jets “are exploring” this trade possibility.
Thomas Is Under Cheap Team Control
The former LSU product entered the league as the No. 23 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NFL draft.
He has two years left on his rookie contract and a future 2028 fifth-year option that must be decided on next offseason.
If the Jaguars traded away Thomas, the new team would get him at an insane discount financially. He would be owed $2.1 million guaranteed in 2026 and $2.8 million guaranteed in 2027, per Spotrac.
For context, that $2.1 million annual salary in 2026 would rank No. 76 among the highest-paid wide receivers in the NFL, per Over The Cap.
New Team Acquires 2026: $2.1M (gtd) 2027: $2.8M (gtd) 2028: 5th-Year Option
#Jaguars Dead Cap $3.7M ($257k saved)After an 87 catch, 10 TD rookie campaign, BTJ saw his targets drop mightily in 2025.
As a rookie, Thomas was spectacular. He was named a Pro Bowler after delivering 87 receptions for 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
However, last season, there was a massive drop-off in production. Thomas finished with just 48 catches for 707 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Insider Provides Updates on the Situation
Hughes said on “Jets Final Drive” that Thomas is “absolutely available now for the right price, although it’s not going to be cheap.”
He didn’t specifically mention what it would cost to pull off a potential trade with the Jaguars.
“I do expect them to be involved there because they were at the deadline last year,” Hughes said.
Why Are the Jaguars Moving On?
From the Jets’ perspective, this makes total sense. Gang Green has Garrett Wilson, and they want to add a running mate next to him.
But why are the Jaguars doing it? They are a win-now team, Thomas is only 23, and he has a Pro Bowl season on his resume.
“Thomas’ career is a little unique because a season ago, he never really meshed with Liam Coen, [and] it seemed like he never had great chemistry with Trevor Lawrence. But the year before that, he was elite,” Hughes explained on SNY.
“He looked like the next great pass catcher in the NFL until things kind of fell apart in year two. The Jets and Giants, I know, actually called the Jaguars at the deadline last year, seeing if they could take Thomas away from them, but the Jaguars weren’t really entertaining any offers. In fact, any talks for Thomas were completely and totally rebuffed,” Hughes said.
“This offseason, that stance has changed. It’s not about being completely and totally blown away. In fact, multiple sources I talked to believe that something ultimately could get done for a price that is a bit more reasonable. It’s absolutely something worth monitoring,” Hughes added.
The Jets have four picks inside the top-44 of April’s draft. Perhaps one of those assets could be enough to lock in a big-time deal.
Jets, Jaguars Having Trade Talks About 23-Year-Old Pro Bowl WR: Report