Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. has perfect response to poor 2025 form originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
One thing we know about the NFL is that success isn't linear, and Jacksonville Jaguars star receiver Brian Thomas Jr. found that out the hard way in 2025.
After a stellar rookie season that saw Thomas post 1,282 yards and 10 TDs, many thought Year 2 would be even better...but it wasn't.
Thomas would post just 707 yards and 2 TDs on 47 receptions (had 82 in his rookie season), and that has led some to think his future might lie elsewhere, despite him only being with the Jaguars for two years.
And when reflecting on the season, Thomas Jr. gave the perfect response.
"It was just adversity, [which] gives you a lot to grow from," Thomas said via ESPN. "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 got to do to sustain [success]."
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Thomas Jr.'s future oddly uncertain
Some think that Thomas Jr. will be on the trade block this offseason, mainly due to Travis Hunter's emergence, but it doesn't seem too feasible.
The biggest reason is, why would the Jaguars, who have contractual control over Brian, along with having him cheap, move on and potentially put the offense in a bind?
Yes, his 2025 stats were nowhere near his rookie numbers, but one down year doesn't mean the Jags should cut ties.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out over the coming weeks and months, but at least Brian is self-aware enough to take 2025 in his stride and not mope around about it.
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