The Pittsburgh Steelers can officially cross Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. off their trade wish list.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Tuesday morning the Jaguars will not trade Thomas before the NFL trade deadline.
“The Jaguars plan to keep WR Brian Thomas Jr. through the trade deadline, per sources,” wrote Fowler. “They have relayed that to interested teams.
“Coming off multiple big trades Monday, Jacksonville plans to keep its roster intact, barring a surprise.”
Pundits have linked Thomas to the Steelers for quite some time. Trade rumors in the offseason even suggested Pittsburgh as a potential destination for the receiver.
But for months, the Jaguars have stressed they weren’t going to trade Thomas this year. With Fowler’s report, pundits should probably put the speculation to rest.
The NFL trade deadline is Tuesday at 4 pm ET. To acquire a receiver, the Steelers will have to turn their attention elsewhere.
Steelers Not Going to Acquire WR Brian Thomas Jr.: Report
Entering Tuesday, Thomas appeared to be a long shot Steelers trade candidate. Not only were their doubts about his availability, but league insiders reported Monday that Pittsburgh general manager Omar Khan isn’t willing to part with significant draft capital for a wideout.
Pundits estimated that Thomas, if he was on the trade market, held the value of a late Day 2 pick.
Although the Jaguars said otherwise throughout this season, pundits continued to discussed Thomas as a trade candidate before Tuesday because of his small role in Jacksonville’s offense.
In eight games this season, Thomas has just 10 catches for 117 yards. The 24-year-old has also scored two touchdowns.
Jacksonville selected the receiver at No. 23 overall in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. As a rookie in 2024, Thomas became a star. In his first NFL season, he had 87 catches, 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
But that was under previous head coach Doug Pederson. With Liam Coen taking over in 2024, Parker Washington became the team’s top wideout. The Jaguars then acquired veteran Jakobi Meyers at the NFL trade deadline.
This season, Thomas is seventh for the Jaguars in receiving yards. In addition to Washington and Meyers, Thomas is also behind two tight ends and a running back on that list.
But the Jaguars are clearly going all-in on potentially earning their first trip to the Super Bowl in franchise history. They acquired three defenders Monday, including one in a blockbuster deal for defensive lineman Jordan Davis.
So, the Jaguars will not be selling Thomas in a different deadline move.
What Receivers Could Steelers Target Instead?
Thomas was one of the more popular potential Steelers receiver trade targets on social media over the past week. The most popular, though, was Indianapolis Colts wideout Josh Downs.
But unless the Steelers change their reportedly mindset of not giving up significant draft capital for a receiver, they probably aren’t going to land Downs either. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported the Colts have already received an offer including a fourth-round pick for Downs.
Other potential Steelers receiver trade targets include Chris Godwin, Jerry Jeudy, Calvin Ridley, Ladd McConkey and Keenan Allen. Most of those candidates, though, might be worth more than what the Steelers are willing to trade in draft capital.
Steelers fans will find out for sure late Tuesday afternoon.
Steelers Get Final Answer on WR Brian Thomas Jr. Trade: Report