Brian Thomas Jr. has been the ray of sunshine in a forgettable season in Jacksonville.
The first-round rookie shined again in Sunday's 32-25 loss to the New York Jets, gobbling up 10 catches for 105 receiving yards and two touchdowns. For the season, he has 64 catches for 956 yards and eight TDs. Sunday, he set the franchise record for most touchdowns by a Jags rookie (Allen Hurns) and passed Justin Blackmon for most receiving yards by a rookie (865). Thomas also tied Blackmon for most catches by a Jacksonville rookie.
"He's a good, young receiver who's going to continue to get better," coach Doug Pederson said, via the team's official website. "He's had a heck of a season for a rookie receiver -- not only here in Jacksonville, but in the NFL. I think there's more. As he continues to grow and learn, he can get better. He's a good, humble kid that does work hard."
It was apropos that Thomas would dominate but the Jags come up short. It's how much of the season has gone for Jacksonville. Thomas became the sixth rookie (seventh instance) in the Super Bowl era with 10-plus catches, 100-plus receiving yards and two TDs in a single game.
After weeks of forgetting to give his mother a football after a score, Thomas finally remembered, giving his mom the record-setting TD ball.
"My mom and my dad were both here today," he said. "We had a talk about it. She's been wanting me to give her one. But every time I score, I just go to the sideline. I had never really thought about it. But I was like, 'This time I'll remember.' I remembered and I went and gave it to her."
Thomas noted that he entered hoping to stack records and get a win, but only accomplished the former.
"The goal is to be as good as a team," he said. "I mean, it's not really about personal accomplishments. You always want to be the best you can be as a team and the personal accomplishments will come with it."
The 3-11 Jags currently sit with the No. 4 spot in the 2025 NFL Draft. It's a disappointing spot for a club that entered the season with high expectations. At least they got their 2024 first-round pick right.
