JACKSONVILLE – He's an important story ready to be a good story.

Brian Thomas Jr. is healthy as he prepares for his third NFL season, with the Jaguars very much liking his approach as 2026 organized team activities continue at the Miller Electric Center. Thomas said that approach is about "keeping the main thing the main thing."

"I'm confident, as always," he said.

Thomas, the Jaguars' third-year wide receiver, spoke to the media following Day 4 2026 OTAs on Monday, with Head Coach Liam Coen also speaking following practice and saying of Thomas, "I've been pleased with the way he has attacked this offseason, the way he takes the meeting room to the practice and how that's looked."

Coen on Monday reiterated what he said during Week 1 OTAs last week – that he likes Thomas' increased timing and effectiveness this offseason with quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

"We're being a little bit more intentional about usage and chemistry with him this spring and trying to get a true connection we didn't quite have last spring or last training camp," Coen said. "I've been very pleased with how he's taken the things that we asked him to do, to get better at, and to be intentional about those reps."

Thomas, with that approach, has shined in OTAs, catching multiple passes in each of the two open-to-the-media practices – including a deep touchdown in each practice.

"All the great quarterbacks and wide receivers, they had a great chemistry," Thomas said. "The quarterback knowing where the wide receiver is going to be at certain times and at certain points, that he can rely on and trust him to go be there at a certain time when he needs him to be there … that plays a big role.

"That's a big factor in taking the next step for our offense."

Another key part of Thomas' offseason storyline: His return to full health after playing through ankle, shoulder and wrist issues last season.

"Had a long offseason, doing a lot of rehab, getting my body back right," he said. "Had to correct some things, do some things to make my body right."

Asked if he could feel a difference in the spring compared to last fall, he smiled.

"It doesn't hurt to run," he said. "That's a big thing."

The No. 23 overall selection by the Jaguars in the 2024 NFL Draft, Thomas caught 48 passes for 707 yards and two touchdowns last season after setting franchise rookie records with 87 receptions for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns receiving in 2024.

If the numbers concerned observers, they concerned Coen less.

"I guess fantasy [football] people care a lot about that, but I know we won 13 games," Coen said. "If you're a competitor, I know you want your stats and your contributions to be at an all-time high. And yes, that is a part of this, it's a part of the puzzle.

"But I know everybody's, 'Ah, it's a down year,' and fantasy and this, that and the third. When you're on a good team, I think that typically matters a little bit more."

Coen, too, cited the Jaguars' offensive versatility and balance, saying "the ball gets spread out in this offense to multiple different players."

"It doesn't really just feed through one person," Coen said. "I think that that's something that he had to work through, we all had to work through. I think it was more some of the situational things and taking care of the football and just attacking it in some ways is something that he's been working on.

"When you're not getting 15 targets a game, it's kind of hard to simulate 1,300 yards. So, I think he would rather take 800 and 13-4 than 1,300 and 4-13."

Added Thomas, "I feel like last year was a learning experience. Just take all the highs and the lows, take it all in and just push through it."

Thomas, in that vein, said his motivation entering Year 3 isn't last season. Or the trade speculation that arose this offseason – "everybody's entitled to their own opinion," he said – as much as focusing on what he can control.

"I changed my mindset on a lot of things," he said. "I just try to stay focused and stay motivated, keep my goals and my main thing the main thing. That's the biggest thing for me. I wake up every day motivated just to be a better person, a better teammate, better leader.

"Don't let anything get in the way of that. Don't let the downs get in the way of that. Whatever you have going on in life, whether it's outside of football, in football, just don't let that stop you or control your mindset, the way you think about things.

"It's just coming out here, correcting those things, being better each and every day."