Coen described the decision as being made week to week, emphasizing that players must step up and make plays. Thomas was targeted twice in the game. The first drop could have extended a drive when the team was in field-goal range, and the second came late in the first half as the Jaguars sought points before halftime. That sequence contributed to the decision to bench him for the remainder of the game.
Thomas’s performance history shows a strong rookie season with 80 receptions, 1,282 yards, and ten touchdowns, much of which came with quarterback Mac Jones. He did not play for Coen in his rookie season after the coaching change. When Coen took over, Thomas’s production declined: 48 receptions for 707 yards in his second season, with a drop in efficiency metrics, including yards per route run and overall yardage, and a higher drop rate. This season has not shown improvement, and his role has continued to dwindle, impacting his value on the roster.
Drafted in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Thomas has accumulated 2,094 receiving yards in under three seasons and is just 24 years old, suggesting potential for future success with the right opportunity. Nevertheless, continued underproduction and reduced snap counts risk further diminishing his trade value. As the Jaguars assess their options, selling at a depressed value could be a reality if performance does not rebound. The situation places the team in a challenging position regarding Thomas’s future on the roster and his rookie-scale contract next year.
