JACKSONVILLE – This was right for the right reasons.

James Gladstone said he knew that quickly – and the Jaguars' general manager discussed as much when meeting with the media for the first time in his new position on Monday.

This wasn't just a dream. It was the right team at the right time.

"It really is an honor," Gladstone said Monday morning, calling the position "an incredible opportunity."

Added Gladstone, "I look forward to building something special…"

Gladstone, 34, spent the first nine NFL seasons with the Los Angeles Rams – the last three seasons as the franchise's director of scouting strategy. He is widely considered one of the league's bright, young personnel executives.

"There's a lot to know about James, a lot to like about James," Owner Shad Khan said during Gladstone's introductory press conference at the Miller Electric Center Monday.

Gladstone was officially hired Friday after a two-week search in which the Jaguars interviewed 11 general-manager candidates – including Interim General Manager Ethan Waugh.

"James faced fierce competition during the interview process," Khan said. "Every candidate was outstanding, and I think that speaks to the promise of the next generation of leadership in the NFL holds. More importantly, it speaks to the high quality of James Gladstone."

The Jaguars interviewed five candidates in person last week, a process that concluded with Gladstone's interview Friday.

"We met right after that, and it was very evident to us that James was absolutely what we were looking for," Khan said. "We're very blessed to have him."

Khan on Monday talked of the importance of finding a general manager "unafraid of change," and someone who can innovate collaborate, communicate and evolve.

"All of that describes James," Khan said. "It's no wonder James already has produced a brilliant body of work so early in his career, but what's best is his immense promise as a general manager. I'm thrilled we'll get to see James seize the opportunity here in Duval."

Jaguars Executive Vice President Tony Boselli on Monday spoke of the Gladstone as the right fit – and a front-line talent evaluator and roster builder.

"It's two things you're looking for," Boselli said. "One, is it the right individual? The right makeup of the guy that will fit into what we're trying to build, the culture we're trying to set in this building, and James knocked that out of the park.

"But that's not enough. Then you have to look at the ability and the acuity to evaluate talent, have a process, the draft, free agency. Again, that's a place where James excelled, and we will see it day-after-day and year-after-year."

Gladstone said a talented roster in spots – and a large number of selections in the next two NFL drafts – helped him know quickly the Jaguars were a good fit during what he called "a great interview process."

"That was pretty quick," he said. "It didn't take long for me to realize that this was a really good landing spot."

Gladstone and Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen share a background with the Rams, with Coen – who was hired by the Jaguars on January 24 – having coached as an assistant with the organization in 2018-2020 and again as offensive coordinator in 2022.

Coen during his introductory press conference in January spoke highly of the organization and its culture.

"Because of where are roots fall, we're aligned just in and of itself," Gladstone said, adding, "I see a lot of parallels to my time with the Rams and the current moment in time here with the Jacksonville Jaguars. We're really going to tap into all of those years of experience and the different sort of modes of operation and models that we deployed while applying here."

Gladstone during his press conference thanked Khan, the Khan family, Boselli and Coen – as well as Jaguars President Mark Lamping. He also thanked Rams General Manager Les Snead and his wife, Kara.

It was Snead who hired Gladstone as senior assistant to the general manager in 2016, and Gladstone said Monday the Sneads "altered the trajectory of my life."

"It's been a fantastic nine years being able to be alongside him for that journey," Gladstone said, adding of moving to an NFL general manager role: "It was never going to be something I brought up. It was only until he rose his hand and said, 'It's time.' At that point, when this came available, when he knew it would be a match with Liam, with Tony, that's when we began to accelerate the process into the next phase and becoming a general manager."

Added Gladstone, "I don't think that Les would have ever raised his hand and said, 'Hey, it's time,' unless he viewed [the Jaguars] as a really strong opportunity to be successful."

Gladstone, too, thanked his wife (Julie), daughter (Sabine), mother (Kim) and father (Gene) before speaking directly to Jaguars fans.

"With Liam's vision, with a disciplined approach, we're going to be bring you a product you all can be proud of," he said. "We are so appreciative of your support."

He added, 'With that, game on."