Jaguars Legend Reacts to Brian Thomas' Rough Bengals Performance

The Jacksonville Jaguars are far from reeling, but there is a strange slump from second-year wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. that the Jaguars need to see him break out of sooner rather than later.

Thomas, who head coach Liam Coen said is dealing with a wrist injury, caught just 4-of-12 targets in Sunday's Week 2 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and has five catches on 19 targets this season.

Sunday's game was particularly rough, with Thomas dropping a key fourth-down target and also not appearing to play particularly physical on several other reps.

One Jaguars legend has now weighed in on Thomas' career-worst game, with former running back Fred Taylor speaking on 1010XL about his reaction to the No. 1 receiver's day.

"[Brian Thomas Jr] has to make a play... or attempt to make a play"#Jaguars legend Fred Taylor joined The Drill to recap the Jags 31-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals#DUUUVAL

Watch the full video⬇️https://t.co/HrtQ2EZjA0 pic.twitter.com/RBvkFsrNtJ
— 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) September 15, 2025

Taylor Speaks

"There are some things that are called, you know, it's called expectation of one. You know, the expectation of being a true number one and that pressure that comes along with it," Taylor said.

"And then when you're supposed to go out and make plays, and you don't make plays, it can shatter or rattle your confidence. Getting hit, you know, preseason he took a nice shot there. He might be a little gun shy, who knows, but you have to go up and make the plays."

To Thomas' credit, one of the plays many have harped on was actually a misfire from quarterback Trevor Lawrence according to Coen.

But no matter the process, people are looking for bigger results from Thomas after his dynamic rookie season.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) comes out of the tunnel before the start of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium Sunday September 7, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

"If he had played during the Donovan Darius era ... he's gonna flinch and clinch up if you look his way if he played in that era. These guys aren't hitting now. But again, this is what they're used to. This is what they've been conditioned for. It's just part of the game. And not ducking the ball, you know, not climbing up, not trying to avoid the hospital ball," Taylor said.

"I'm not saying that's the part of it, but guys have always made business decisions. Some of the best receivers ever, the Isaac Bruces, the Marvin Harrisons. They didn't have a lot of run after catch. They would catch it and get down immediately. But either case, BT has to make the play. You've got to make a play or attempt to make a play."

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) celebrates his touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium Sunday September 7, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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