Jaguars column: Coen backs Brian Thomas Jr.; Indianapolis Professional Football Team trades noted
JACKSONVILLE — John Oehser, the Jacksonville Jaguars senior writer, addressed questions about wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and recent moves by the Indianapolis Professional Football Team in an O-Zone column published Oct. 28, 2026. Oehser wrote that the Jaguars will continue to support Thomas as the club works to put him in the best position to make plays. He also wrote that trades by the Indianapolis Professional Football Team should not create a standoff that materially affects Jacksonville’s preparation for the game at EverBank Stadium. The column was published ahead of the Jaguars’ next game after a bye.
Oehser noted that some observers believe Thomas is not being used the same way he was in 2024, but he urged caution about overanalyzing deployment versus performance. He wrote that Thomas has not played like a front-line No. 1 receiver since the start of the 2025 season, citing recurring drops and missed opportunities. Oehser referenced an early dropped pass and another missed chance in the Jaguars’ 34-31 loss to the Houston Texans and noted Thomas did not play in the second half of that game. He said those events have contributed to the team’s efforts to balance opportunity and winning.
Head coach Liam Coen told Oehser the team will keep supporting Thomas, surround him with support and continue to put him in positions to make plays on Sundays. Oehser wrote that Coen is regarded as one of the NFL’s top offensive minds and that Jacksonville’s offensive production under his tenure reflects that. He added that the situation is not a schematic standoff but an effort to find ways to win while managing a player who has shown both high upside and inconsistency. Oehser said the Jaguars have continued to give Thomas opportunities because of his skill set and his team-first reputation.
Oehser reported that the Indianapolis Professional Football Team traded guard Quenton Nelson to the Seattle Seahawks for a 2027 third-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick. He also reported that the Indianapolis Professional Football Team sent defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2027 fourth-round selection. Oehser framed those moves as forward-looking responses to the Indianapolis Professional Football Team slipping to 2-5 and preparing for a roster and regime overhaul. He wrote that those transactions are unlikely to prevent the Indianapolis Professional Football Team from playing hard, but he emphasized that Jacksonville is the better team and that any Jaguars loss would be due to Jacksonville’s own performance.
The column also discussed how coaches generally do not get involved in player contract negotiations and expectations for Jacksonville’s game plan after the bye. Oehser predicted the Jaguars would emphasize establishing a physical identity by stopping the run and running the ball early in the first game after the break. He cautioned that readiness is not a guarantee of victory but wrote that the Jaguars almost certainly would be prepared to play. The column suggested the upcoming game will be a clearer measure of whether the stated confidence translates to on-field results.
NFL Sports Blog Take
Oehser frames the Brian Thomas Jr. situation as more of a performance issue than a schematic dispute and reports Coen’s public endorsement of continued support. The facts he cites — recurring drops, a limited role late in the Houston game and the coach’s comments — indicate the Jaguars will continue to provide Thomas opportunities while seeking greater consistency. The Indianapolis Professional Football Team’s trades of Quenton Nelson and DeForest Buckner underscore a roster in transition but do not guarantee that Indianapolis Professional Football Team players will change the matchup’s fundamental outlook. The upcoming game at EverBank Stadium will test whether the Jaguars can convert bye-week preparation into a home victory.