![Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) hauls in a reception against New York Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the third quarter of a NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Jets 48-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_145,y_27,w_5546,h_3119/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/130/01ks3dct1f14en1g1scn.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) hauls in a reception against New York Jets cornerback Brandon Stephens (21) during the third quarter of a NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Jets 48-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]")
Rashee Rice's availability, or lack thereof, is a major concern for the Kansas City Chiefs, opening the door for a major wide receiver move. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars' Brian Thomas Jr. appears to be off the table.
Thomas was floated as a potential target for the Chiefs following news of Rice's 30-day jail sentence for violating his probation and recent knee surgery. It's not entirely far-fetched, either, considering speculation surrounding the former's future in Jacksonville and the latter's bad habit of making headlines for the wrong reasons.
Alas, Kansas City will seemingly have to look elsewhere if they're motivated to replace Rice. The Jaguars "aren't trading" Thomas, per Demetrius Harvey of The Florida Times-Union.
Jaguars beat writer shuts down Chiefs’ Brian Thomas Jr. pipe dream
Adding someone of Thomas' caliber would undeniably be a significant boon to the Chiefs' pass-catching corps. We've seen what the 23-year-old can do when healthy and involved. He posted 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns en route to his first career Pro Bowl nod as a rookie.
Nevertheless, Rice's dubious short- and long-term outlook isn't Jacksonville's problem. In fact, as a fellow AFC heavyweight squad, his inability to stay on the field helps them. What do they stand to benefit from sending a talented playmaker to the Chiefs?
It'd be a shocker if the Jags moved on from Thomas, especially coming off a massively disappointing campaign; his value is now an open question. Not to mention, he's under team control through at least 2027. Harvey's intel further validates the reality of the situation.
For what it's worth, too, the drumbeat out of Jacksonville has been consistent for Thomas. Signs continue to point toward the two sides moving forward together. Jaguars general manager James Gladstone has been adamant about hanging onto the 2024 first-round pick, calling anything that suggests otherwise "fraudulent."
Rice continues to put the Chiefs in a bind. His string of injuries and off-field incidents is piling up to an alarming degree. The SMU product is undeniably talented, but he might be running out of second chances.
Meanwhile, Thomas isn't the only high-profile receiver that's been linked to Kansas City. Disgruntled Philadelphia Eagles star A.J. Brown's name has resurfaced, though it's reportedly unlikely he lands with the Chiefs.
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