The Jaguars hope rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas’s 41-yard, contested catch in his preseason debut Saturday was his first of many explosive plays with Jacksonville.
To Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor, it was exactly the kind of welcome-to-the-NFL moment a first-round pick needs.
“I think that catch can go a long way,” Taylor said Tuesday. “You saw kind of the energy that [Thomas] had after the catch.”
BTJ gonna be a problem!@BrianThomas_11 | #KCvsJAX on CBS pic.twitter.com/CVCGPyoKZV
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 10, 2024
On 3rd and 1 at the Jaguars’ 20-yard line, Thomas released outside against Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams and unleashed his 4.33-second 40-yard dash speed to get open down the left sideline.
Quarterback C.J. Bathard underthrew the pass, causing Thomas to slow down and fight through Williams’ contact to track the ball in, grasping it with his left hand and chest before securing it with his right arm while being pulled to the ground.
Jacksonville’s sideline erupted with excitement as it became clear Thomas made the grab.
“Then the cool part was our sideline; everybody kind of erupted at that time and you saw the guys go wild for him, come on the field, give him high fives, all that type of deal,” Taylor continued.
“Because we’ve seen that partially, we see that skill set flash all the time, he makes plays here and there, he’s done it through spring, done it through camp, and guys are just excited for him.”
Y’all look how hype everyone was for @BrianThomas_11’s first catch as a Jag 🥲#EasyToCelebrate | @budlight pic.twitter.com/qq5kQFz9Aq
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 11, 2024
Taylor had previously described Thomas as a fairly quiet, “locked in” player who appeared entirely committed to his development and learning from coaches and teammates throughout his first offseason with the Jaguars.
But Thomas was similarly energetic after his big gain, hopping up to celebrate as the crowd and fellow Jaguars roared.
“It’s football. Competing brings it out of me,” Thomas said after the game Saturday. “This is what I love to do, this is my passion. When I’m out there on the football field, I give it my all and that’s when it comes out.”
As Jacksonville prepares its No. 23 overall draft selection for his first pro season, Taylor believes moments like Thomas’ catch on Saturday can inspire the entire squad, not just the rookie, representing hard work being paid off.
“Anytime a rookie comes in, puts his head down, works hard, guys can root for that,” Taylor expressed.
“Everybody wants him to have success — like all of our guys — and so when a guy makes a play like that, it’s a good thing for him moving forward, but for everybody around him as well to see that and believe in him.”
