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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. went galloping off the line of scrimmage and sped his way past defenders, getting behind his opponents for a deep reception at the Miller Electric Center.
It was the first real flash for the then-rookie pass catcher, as he looked electric against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in joint practice and showed why he was a first round selection by the Jaguars in 2024.
That was the prelude to Thomas’ breakout season as he rewrote the franchise record book for most catches, touchdowns and yards by a first-year receiver in Jacksonville.
Making the cut: Jaguars safety Caleb Ransaw's life after football may be in barbershop
That was three years ago now, and Thomas has become one of the more veteran receivers on the team as he is trying to flush a frustrating 2025 campaign down the drain before entering the 2026 season.
“Seeing all the new young guys coming in and they’re asking me questions like I’m a vet,” Thomas, 23, said while chuckling. Two rookies in CJ Williams and Josh Cameron are looking to make the roster. “It’s good though. I’m happy to be able to say I’m going into Year 3, just blessed. Hopefully I can go into many more.”
He had the best offseason of any player on the roster, connecting with quarterback Trevor Lawrence all spring and summer as the pair established an early connection.
Their connection was something emphasized by Lawrence, Thomas and head coach Liam Coen, prioritizing an aspect of Jacksonville’s offense that was lacking in the first year of Coen’s tenure.
The link between Lawrence and Thomas is securely the foundation of Jacksonville’s offense with the team building upon the groundwork they started during the offseason. And they reinforce that foundation daily, getting closer by the rep.
Lawrence has routinely used the time after practice to color in the lines the team might’ve missed throughout the sessions. He throws routes with different pass catchers and Thomas is frequently right there with him working extra.
“The dialogue between me and him has been the best it's been since we've been together,” Lawrence said. “We’re talking about every single play on the sideline after. … I think we're growing every day and just really happy with how far we've come along with our connection and chemistry.”
Thomas made another splash play in joint practice last season against the Miami Dolphins, catching a long pass as he got behind their defense. It’s kind of his calling card at this point to catch deep passes in joint practices as he speeds past defensive backs.
“It’s really just competition. Finally getting to go up against a new face,” he said, jokingly adding to not jinx him as the team prepares to take on the Saints later this week. “No matter who it is really, you got to go out there and just try to be the best you can be.”
Thomas’ focus has left teammates and coaches impressed. Not because they’re surprised that he’s achieving high marks, but because he’s been doing it consistently since the offseason began.
“He had one of the better springs that I've seen of a younger guy since I've been in the league,” teammate Jakobi Meyers said. “But if he’s just doing half of what he’s doing now, I think he would be in a good spot. He's having a great camp.”
Coen echoed similar thoughts of Thomas.
“I think in the spring, very early on, honestly, you could sense that he had really looked at things in areas in which he thought he could improve upon,” he said. “He was attacking those areas. ... I thought he was extremely intentional about the things he wanted to improve on.”
The intentionality is showing up on the field as Thomas continues to look like he’s instore for a bounce-back year. His versatility to play inside or out and run any route needed has resulted in him being a consistent performer through the first two weeks of training camp.
Even on routes where the ball doesn’t come to him, Thomas wins the rep and makes himself an option for Lawrence’s pass. It’s all part of the attention to detail that he approached this offseason and training camp with.
Thomas will get the chance to return to his home state when the Jaguars face off against the Saints. While he said it’ll be good to see family and friends, he’s keeping the his focus on getting better by the day.
“Really just staying intentional about all the little things, staying healthy, just keeping to the routine,” he said. “I would say that’s probably the main thing and being a great teammate.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Brian Thomas Jr. focused on 'intentionality' ahead of joint practices
Continue reading...
It was the first real flash for the then-rookie pass catcher, as he looked electric against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in joint practice and showed why he was a first round selection by the Jaguars in 2024.
That was the prelude to Thomas’ breakout season as he rewrote the franchise record book for most catches, touchdowns and yards by a first-year receiver in Jacksonville.
Making the cut: Jaguars safety Caleb Ransaw's life after football may be in barbershop
That was three years ago now, and Thomas has become one of the more veteran receivers on the team as he is trying to flush a frustrating 2025 campaign down the drain before entering the 2026 season.
“Seeing all the new young guys coming in and they’re asking me questions like I’m a vet,” Thomas, 23, said while chuckling. Two rookies in CJ Williams and Josh Cameron are looking to make the roster. “It’s good though. I’m happy to be able to say I’m going into Year 3, just blessed. Hopefully I can go into many more.”
He had the best offseason of any player on the roster, connecting with quarterback Trevor Lawrence all spring and summer as the pair established an early connection.
Their connection was something emphasized by Lawrence, Thomas and head coach Liam Coen, prioritizing an aspect of Jacksonville’s offense that was lacking in the first year of Coen’s tenure.
The link between Lawrence and Thomas is securely the foundation of Jacksonville’s offense with the team building upon the groundwork they started during the offseason. And they reinforce that foundation daily, getting closer by the rep.
Lawrence has routinely used the time after practice to color in the lines the team might’ve missed throughout the sessions. He throws routes with different pass catchers and Thomas is frequently right there with him working extra.
“The dialogue between me and him has been the best it's been since we've been together,” Lawrence said. “We’re talking about every single play on the sideline after. … I think we're growing every day and just really happy with how far we've come along with our connection and chemistry.”
Will Brian Thomas Jr. have another standout joint practice vs. New Orleans Saints?
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Thomas made another splash play in joint practice last season against the Miami Dolphins, catching a long pass as he got behind their defense. It’s kind of his calling card at this point to catch deep passes in joint practices as he speeds past defensive backs.
“It’s really just competition. Finally getting to go up against a new face,” he said, jokingly adding to not jinx him as the team prepares to take on the Saints later this week. “No matter who it is really, you got to go out there and just try to be the best you can be.”
Thomas’ focus has left teammates and coaches impressed. Not because they’re surprised that he’s achieving high marks, but because he’s been doing it consistently since the offseason began.
You must be registered for see images
“He had one of the better springs that I've seen of a younger guy since I've been in the league,” teammate Jakobi Meyers said. “But if he’s just doing half of what he’s doing now, I think he would be in a good spot. He's having a great camp.”
Coen echoed similar thoughts of Thomas.
“I think in the spring, very early on, honestly, you could sense that he had really looked at things in areas in which he thought he could improve upon,” he said. “He was attacking those areas. ... I thought he was extremely intentional about the things he wanted to improve on.”
The intentionality is showing up on the field as Thomas continues to look like he’s instore for a bounce-back year. His versatility to play inside or out and run any route needed has resulted in him being a consistent performer through the first two weeks of training camp.
Even on routes where the ball doesn’t come to him, Thomas wins the rep and makes himself an option for Lawrence’s pass. It’s all part of the attention to detail that he approached this offseason and training camp with.
Thomas will get the chance to return to his home state when the Jaguars face off against the Saints. While he said it’ll be good to see family and friends, he’s keeping the his focus on getting better by the day.
“Really just staying intentional about all the little things, staying healthy, just keeping to the routine,” he said. “I would say that’s probably the main thing and being a great teammate.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Brian Thomas Jr. focused on 'intentionality' ahead of joint practices
Continue reading...
