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Jaguars looking to strengthen their defense at trade deadline

Originally posted on Pro Football Rumors
By Connor Byrne | Last updated Nov 1, 2025 5:14 PM ET

The Jacksonville Jaguars improved to 4-1 with a last-minute win over the Chiefs in Week 5, but they’ve since dropped two in a row, including a dreary showing in England against the Rams in Week 7. Still a game over .500 and now coming out of their bye, the Jaguars may buy before Tuesday’s trade deadline. They’re looking for help at defensive tackle, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

The Jaguars boast the NFL’s sixth-best run defense, but getting to the opposing quarterback has been a problem. They rank last in the league in sacks (eight) and 22nd in pass-rush win rate. While defensive tackle Arik Armstead leads the team with 3.5 sacks, no one else from the Jags’ interior has recorded one yet. Armstead, DaVon Hamilton and Maason Smith have gotten the lion’s share of playing time in the middle.

When discussing Jacksonville’s D-line this week, head coach Liam Coen said:

“How do we help them on early downs, create more of an edge, and get some favorable matchups? We’ve looked at in the known passing situations, where are we putting these guys and how can we put them in better positions to be successful and get more ops on the quarterback?”

The Jaguars may have an easier time Sunday against the 2-5 Raiders, who have allowed 19 sacks to quarterback Geno Smith during a 2-5 start. A win over the Raiders could give first-year general manager James Gladstone more incentive to add to the team’s defense by Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the Jaguars’ offense would experience a notable loss in the event of a Brian Thomas Jr. trade, which has always looked like a long shot. With Thomas off to a slow start this season, Gladstone has taken calls on the 2024 first-rounder and Offensive Rookie of the Year finalist. Plenty of interest has come in, according to Russini, though she adds that the Jags haven’t received any “substantial offers.” The belief around the league is that the Jaguars would want a first-rounder and more for Thomas, per Russini.

In the event a Thomas trade comes together, it would take away another important weapon in Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence-led passing game. The team placed rookie receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter on IR with a knee injury on Friday, setting up at least a four-game absence. The Jags will also continue to go without No. 1 tight end Brenton Strange, who has missed two games since going on IR with a quad/hip injury after Week 5.

This article first appeared on Pro Football Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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