Record Day for Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. | Game That Was

Dec 15, 2024 at 08:38 PM

John Oehser

Jaguars Senior Writer

JACKSONVILLE – He wanted records, and he wanted to win.

Brian Thomas Jr. got the first part of that equation Sunday. That he didn't get the second part mattered to the Jaguars' rookie wide receiver a lot.

But it didn't lessen the accomplishment – or what he means to the Jaguars.

"As I came into the season, my expectation was to be the best player I could be," he said Sunday. "I wanted to put in the work and let that show for me."

Mission accomplished – and then some.

Thomas, the No. 23 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft, continued a standout rookie season Sunday and set the Jaguars' single-season rookie touchdown receptions and receiving yards records in the process.

"He's a good, young receiver who's going to continue to get better," Head Coach Doug Pederson said. "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."

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets

WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7) and WR Josh Reynolds (87)

Thomas caught 10 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns Sunday, with his three-yard first quarter touchdown from quarterback Mac Jones giving the Jaguars a 7-0 lead and his 19-yard fourth-quarter touchdown from Jones giving them a 22-17 lead.

"He's a professional," Jones said. "It's impressive. He comes to work every day with a good attitude. He's going to be here for a long time. I'm looking forward to watching him play here. He's a great teammate. We just have to keep getting him the ball.

"They're doing things now to take him away. We just have figure out a way to watch other teams, see what they do and how to get him open more."

Thomas now has 64 receptions for 956 yards and eight touchdowns. He passed former Jaguars wide receiver Justin Blackmon's rookie record (2012) of 865 yards receiving and Allen Hurns' rookie record (2014) of six touchdowns Sunday.

"It comes with it," Thomas said. "I was going out there and just playing and it comes with it. I'm just being the best I can be, and it turned out good for me being able to break those records. But at the end of the day, you still want to go out there and win as a team."

Thomas added of the records, "I went out and played the game [Sunday] the right way. I let the game come to me. Everyone knew, so I didn't really have to say anything. I just try to play the game the right way. If it comes to me, it comes to me."

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Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets

WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Thomas, who said he was "super excited" to break both records, handed the ball to his mother – Sondra – in the stands following his first touchdown Sunday.

"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."

Pederson on Sunday called Thomas "a top receiver in this league" and a bright spot in a disappointing Jaguars 2024 season. He also praised Thomas' ability to grasp the offense and handle an increased role as the season has continued. Thomas has been targeted 26 times in the last two weeks, including a career-high 14 targets on Sunday.

"We had high expectations coming out of [training] camp with him," Pederson said. "As the season progressed, you see that he can handle more information, he can handle more responsibility and each week we keep finding ways to load him up and he answers.

"That's what you want from your top receiver. He's been such a bright spot. He's been a workhorse offensively. For a young player, he's someone you dial the ball up and chances are he's going to find a completion.

"I've just been thoroughly impressed with Brian as the season has gone on."

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets

WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)

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Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange turned in a career-best performance in a major opportunity Sunday. Strange, a second-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft, caught a team-high 11 passes for 73 yards while playing an increased role after tight end Evan Engram was placed on season-ending injured reserve on Saturday. "This was a great opportunity for Brenton, and he really rose to the occasion," Pederson said, calling Strange "a great, humble kid who plays tough, plays physical."
Jones, acquired in a trade with the New England Patriots in March, started for the fourth time in five games for injured starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence Sunday. He had his most productive statistical game, completing 31 of 46 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner intercepted Jones at the Jets 13 with :37 remaining on a play on which Jones overthrew second-year wide receiver Parker Washington. "He played good," Pederson said of Jones. "He played well. He protected the ball today again. He did some good things. He played tough. He played physical. It was a good performance."