Why the Jaguars Need to Pursue a Trade for a 28-Year-Old Veteran Wideout in 2026
During the 2025 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars lacked a true top wide receiver. Despite numerous injuries, including a season-ending injury to rookie phenom Travis Hunter, the Jaguars never had a wideout stand out above the rest throughout the campaign. The offensive scheme under head coach Liam Coen and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski was mainly about spreading the ball around based on the specific matchups and defensive coverages that they faced each week. It showed on the stat sheet that Jacksonville’s season leader in receiving yards was Parker Washington, with only 847 yards. However, is this scheme sustainable in the long term? It worked in 2025, with the team going 13-4 and winning the AFC South Division title. In 2026, more defenses could be prepared to attack the passing game in a way that could be troubling for veteran quarterback Trevor Lawrence to get the ball around.
One name immediately pops up to fix this potential problem in Duval County. That would be the hottest name on the trade market right now, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown. The three-time Pro Bowl wideout and the Eagles front office have clashed on numerous occasions about his position and future in the city. Now, the franchise is more than willing to trade him away for the right offer. In four seasons in Philadelphia, Brown had over 1,000 receiving yards every season and totaled 32 touchdowns. Compare that to a Jaguars team that had zero 1,000-yard receivers in 2025, and Brown could fit right in to be the top weapon in Jacksonville.
General manager James Gladstone is no stranger to looking around for big trades and opportunities to make his team better. However, he has been unwilling in the past to trade some of his top young talent. The Eagles are going to want a lot in return, and it is very likely they would ask the Jaguars to give up former LSU wide receiver Brian Thomas. Thomas, who is only 23 years old compared to Brown’s age of 28, had a disappointing sophomore campaign in 2025. After having over 1,000 receiving yards and double-digit touchdowns in his rookie season, Thomas followed that up with only 707 yards and two touchdowns. The front office may be unwilling to give up the young star due to the potential that he could bounce back, but it may be worth considering letting him go for a proven star who’s performed every year at the highest level.
