NFL Trade Buzz Swirls Around 3 Players Ahead of Tuesday's 4 p.m. ET Deadline

Q: Are the Jaguars secretly plotting an offensive reset by dangling Brian Thomas Jr. after their latest defensive acquisition?

Probably not in any full-scale sense, but Jacksonville is clearly keeping its options open on offense. The strongest reporting says the Jaguars have not shut down interest in Brian Thomas Jr., even after trading for safety Jessie Bates III. Adam Schefter’s update is important here: Jacksonville has resisted offers so far, which suggests the team is listening rather than actively pushing Thomas out the door. That is different from a committed teardown. The Bates move itself looks more like a targeted defensive fix than a signal of a broader reset. Jacksonville lost starting safety Eric Murray for the season, and Bates fills an immediate need. The price—a 2027 second-rounder and a 2028 fifth-rounder—fits a contender trying to patch a hole, not a club obviously pivoting away from the current season. What fuels the speculation is Thomas’ disappointing follow-up season after a promising rookie year. If the Jaguars move him, it would likely reflect a willingness to recalibrate the supporting cast around Trevor Lawrence rather than abandon the offense altogether. Team messaging around Jacksonville has still emphasized belief in Lawrence and in the offense’s upside. So the more evidence-based read is that Jacksonville is exploring value, not secretly detonating its offense. If another team such as Washington, Kansas City or Las Vegas makes a compelling offer, the Jaguars may act. But right now, the facts point to opportunism and flexibility, not a hidden offensive reset.

3 articles · Updated · Bleacher Report · Nov 9

Hours before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET NFL trade deadline, fresh reporting has centered on three notable names: Jonathan Taylor, Brian Thomas Jr. and Tony Pollard.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan said it would be a surprise if Taylor lands with the 5-2-1 Giants, shifting speculation toward other suitors such as the Vikings.
Jacksonville, despite recently acquiring Jessie Bates III, is expected to listen on 2024 first-round wideout Brian Thomas Jr., who had no targets in Week 9 after a breakout rookie season.
Tennessee has also listened on Pollard, with SI.com reporting teams seeking backfield help may need at least a fourth-round pick for the veteran.
The chatter suggests some clubs are weighing both buying and selling as the deadline nears, with running back demand shaping much of the late market.