Brian Thomas Jr. might be heading towards the exit ramp.
The Jacksonville Jaguars receiver has found his name in plenty of rumors ahead of the NFL trade deadline, which is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4 p.m. ET. It's a thought that would've been unfathomable just a few years ago, when he burst onto the scene as one of the league's emerging stars.
Yet the 2024 season proved to be the exception rather than the rule for Thomas, who has seen his playing time slashed ever since Liam Coen arrived on the scene as Jacksonville's head coach in 2025.
Now his success as a rookie feels like a distant memory.
Thomas is now one of the big names to watch ahead of the deadline as the Jags
could look to trade him, putting questions about his lack of involvement to rest. There figures to be no shortage of suitors that could line up if that deal becomes reality, leaving "Thursday Night Football" in Week 9 as Thomas' last chance to boost his stock before decision day.
Here's a look at the latest rumors around Thomas and some landing spots that make sense.
Brian Thomas Jr. trade rumors
Thomas has been an "area of interest for a lot of other teams," according to ESPN's Ian Rapoport.
However, the insider questioned whether the Jaguars would actually move him, given where the team is in the standings. Of course, that is the other component to these rumors. While Thomas hasn't been a factor in the Jacksonville offense, he still remains an injury to Parker Washington or Jakobi Meyers away from being thrown into a larger role.
The Jaguars have downplayed the Thomas trade rumors dating back to the offseason, but this appears to be a classic case of actions speaking louder than words.
He is playing just 44% of offensive snaps in 2026, which is down from 78% in 2025.
After being benched by the team for the second half in Week 6 against the Texans, Coen appeared to reopen the door for Thomas to contribute when he met with reporters on Oct. 26.
"He's going to be able to help us make plays this week," Coen said ahead of Week 8. "I bet it. I know it. We're going to continue to support him and put our arm around him and continue to do what we got to do to make plays on Sundays and we got to continue to put him in the best position to do so."
Thomas ended up playing 52% of snaps and saw just two targets that week, catching one for a 12-yard touchdown.
The receiver undoubtedly has plenty of talent. After all, he showed the NFL world what he could do in 2024 when he totaled 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns after being selected with the No. 23 pick in that year's NFL Draft. And that's what makes him an interesting target ahead of the trade deadline.
Some team could be willing to find out if that player still exists in what could be a more favorable situation. And if they're right, that franchise would have a budding 24-year-old star receiver that could stick around long-term.
Brian Thomas Jr. landing spots
Washington Commanders
The Commanders desperately need an infusion of youth on offense. The running back room operates on a committee basis, with no clear threat on a week-to-week basis. The receiver room just lost Terry McLaurin for the season, which allowed Stefon Diggs to step up into a bigger role. Now there is nothing wrong with having quality veteran players, but Washington needs to build around Jayden Daniels more effectively.
Thomas would represent an investment that is out of character for the franchise. In the last 10 drafts, Washington has invested a first or second-round pick in a receiver just once – Jahan Dotson with the 16th overall pick in 2022. Thomas would come in with a clear path to significant playing time, while also being someone that could stick around well beyond the 2026 season.
All things considered, this is a deal that both sides could desperately use.
Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers might be listed as a tight end, but he is WR1 in Vegas. However, the Raiders shouldn't ignore the receiver room to continue peppering Bowers with targets every week. Vegas tried investing in Jalen Nailor this offseason, but that didn't materialize how the Raiders hoped.
In fairness to the team's current group of receivers, no one rises to the level of play that Thomas has proved capable of reaching. This team should be focused on building for the future, especially with the quarterback change to Fernando Mendoza coming down the road. Adding Thomas now gives the Raiders a chance to get ahead of some offseason work, while crossing a significant need off the list of things to do.
Kansas City Chiefs
Remember when the Chiefs' offense could light up the scoreboard? You'd look away from the screen for a second and Tyreek Hill had two touchdowns. Those Chiefs are a thing of the past, but they don't have to be. Thomas won't be confused with Hill anytime soon, but his play style bring an explosive element that appears to be lacking. Xavier Worthy hasn't filled that role. Rashee Rice has injury woes and Tyquan Thornton is in the same boat.
Kansas City is trusting a 37-year-old Travis Kelce to lead its receiving group and Kenneth Walker III, who has played just one full season in four years, to lead the rushing attack. The Chiefs need some reinforcements if they want to be a real threat. There's a receiver in Jacksonville who fits that mold, provided the Jaguars would be willing to trade with a potential AFC contender.
Seattle Seahawks
Jaxon Smith-Njigba can do it all, but should he have to? Seattle added Rashid Shaheed at the deadline last season, which he parlayed into an offseason extension. However, Shaheed hasn't produced at a high level this season – at least not enough to justify the extension. As a result, the Seahawks are trying to extract every last snap out of Cooper Kupp in his age-33 season.
The Seahawks haven't been shy about adding at the trade deadline. With little depth beyond Smith-Njigba, Kupp and Shaheed, the team is one injury away from a problem. Adding Thomas to play opposite Smith-Njigba would bump everyone else down on the depth chart to a much more favorable spot.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brian Thomas Jr. trade rumors swirl ahead of 'TNF'. Potential landing spots for Jags WR
