JACKSONVILLE – This was what Adam Gotsis wanted.
The veteran defensive linemen re-signed with the Jaguars Monday, ensuring he will remain a key member of the team's defensive front and special teams.
"I'm super excited," he said.
Gotsis, an eighth-year NFL veteran, spent the past three seasons with the Jaguars. He played extensively as a reserve defensive lineman and emerged as a key special teams contributor in 2022 as the Jaguars won their first AFC South title since 2017.
Gotsis, a second-round selection by the Denver Broncos in the 2016 NFL Draft, first signed with the Jaguars in August 2020. He re-signed with the team in May 2022.
"The big thing for me the last couple of years has been trying to find a landing spot," Gotsis said. "Jacksonville has been awesome in negotiations the last couple of years bringing me back pretty quickly and working out a deal. I think I fit well in this locker room and jell well with the team.
"It's awesome to work something out and come back here."
Gotsis, 30, has started 18 of 47 games played in three seasons with the Jaguars. He has registered 81 tackles, 46 solos, with 4.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss and 18 quarterback hits during that span. Gotsis had 1.5 sacks with eight hurries and three tackles for loss in 2022.
"It's an unbelievable feeling, particularly at this point in my life," Gotsis said. "I've got kids and I bought a house here. I'm excited to have that backing from the club: 'We want you here and you're the type of guy we want.'
"That's what we work for. That's part of the character and why you show up to the building and work every day. For the Jaguars to recognize that shows the type of people they want around here."
Gotsis in 2021-2022 playing for two Jaguars teams that finished with the NFL's worst record. A chance to play with a team that appears on the rise was important, he said.
"A big part of that is who they're bringing in," Gotsis said. "We're bringing in good guys in the locker room, and we're also bringing in great coaches. The coaches we had last year were great coaches. They allowed us as players to communicate with them, how we feel the game plan needed to change. They were very open communications.
"That's what led to the growth in the locker room. We have a lot of young guys, a lot of talent. With the right coaches in place, we can get good results."
Gotsis said he played the last half of last season on special teams, registering two tackles and becoming a key member of the team's core units in that area.
"It gave me more of an idea of the role I could play," Gotsis said. "It adds to my versatility. Already able to play every position across the front, being able to play every phase on special teams adds to my value and what I can bring to the team.
"Having that exposure to special teams last season allowed me to show that I'm athletic, big and can run. I can do all of those things, so hopefully I can create a mismatch for teams in that phase of the game and still have an impact on defense."
