JACKSONVILLE – The times are different – for the better.
Dyami Brown felt it this week, and the Jaguars' newest wide receiver was far from alone as he and veteran multiple players signed with – and became familiar with – their new NFL home.
This is a new era, and an exciting one.
"It's a wonderful situation that's going on right now," Brown said.
Brown, who spent his first four NFL seasons with Washington, was among nine players who signed as unrestricted free agents with the Jaguars Thursday. General Manager James Gladstone and six players spoke to the media that day, with players speaking of an energetic aura around a franchise that has been restructured and reimagined in the last six weeks.
"There's a lot of new potential and opportunities here," said guard Patrick Mekari, who spent his first six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. "Looking at the roster, looking at the coaches, hearing what they're trying to do here … it's something I want to be a part of, is change.
"I hope I can do my part. I want to do my part. I want to win football games, get that done."
Brown compared the Jaguars' situation to that of the Commanders last offseason. The Commanders in 2024 finished 12-5 – their best record in 33 seasons – after finishing 4-13 in 2023.
"There's a change going on right now," Brown said of the Jaguars. "There's a culture change. I can see it being here and making big things happen at the same time. They have a point in this organization for how they want to be.
"Everybody wants to win. I feel like we can make things happen."
Gladstone since his February hiring has talked often of a new Jaguars "ecosystem," saying on Thursday of the '25 free agent class: "What we were seeking during pro-free agency was to raise the floor of this football team, and every player that we pursued and that we've now acquired is meeting that standard."
"By being nothing more than who they are and who we know them to be, both on and off the field, they're going to do exactly what we would hope they'd do and that's level up this ecosystem," he said.
Cornerback Jourdan Lewis, who spent his first eight NFL seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, said he and Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen on Thursday discussed a chance to be part of the foundation of that system.
"When he talked about changing the culture and me being at the forefront of that, that makes me very excited," Lewis said of Coen. "I'm just excited to be a part of something like that and excited to be around like-minded people that want to go out there and compete and change the culture and change the way people see the Jaguars nationwide."
Added Lewis, "We're talking about just building a culture. I want to be a cornerstone to a rebuild. I've always wanted to be a guy to be known for that, be known for a culture, and be known to change culture. I love a good competition, and I love a good challenge, so I feel like this is a perfect place for me to go out there and show that I belong in this NFL and to be known as one of the guys that changed the culture."
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Center Patrick Mekari said his experience Thursday mirrored that of Mekari and Lewis, saying "Everyone I met has been awesome."
"As far as building a team, an organization, a culture – that's where it starts," said Hainsey, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"You can tell the way they did things in the offseason, what they focused on," Lewis said. "I know we have the right people in the head and they're signing the right people to go out there and make change, so that's what I'm excited about, going out there and make change."
Mekari, a versatile lineman who can play all offensive line positions, on Thursday spoke extensively of a belief in the building while also speaking of the culture that impressed the players who signed this week.
"Everybody on the same mindset, everybody's sending the same message," Mekari said. "The energy. It's a whole new staff. The energy everybody's giving off is excited, ready to go. It doesn't feel like a 4-13 team when I come in here.
"They seem ready to go and I'm ready to go."
QUOTABLE
- Mekari: "I take pride in understanding the game and understanding the technique. When I go out there, I'm just a football player. I'm an offensive lineman – whether that's center, guard or tackle, that's what I want do."
Time to get to work. The newest Jaguars are in Jacksonville! These players met our leadership, signed their contracts, spoke to media and walked the facility. Check out some top pictures 📸😊
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Chuma Edoga meets the offensive line coaching staff during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Patrick Mekari poses for portraits at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Chuma Edoga meets the coaching staff during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Eric Murray signs his contract at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Eric Murray (right) meets defensive backs coach Anthony Perkins during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Chuma Edoga poses for portraits at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Eric Murray during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Chuma Edoga during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Chuma Edoga signs his contract at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey reunites with head coach Liam Coen during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey reunites with head coach Liam Coen during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis meets the defensive coaching staff during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey poses for portraits at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown arrives for his first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Hunter Long arrives for his first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Eric Murray poses for portraits at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown signs his contract at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Eric Murray and wide receiver Dyami Brown arrive for their first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis poses for portraits at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars xxx arrives for his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Johnny Mundt signs his contract at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Chuma Edoga arrives for his first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey, Chuma Edoga, and Patrick Mekari arrive for their first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis signs his contract at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey reunites with head coach Liam Coen during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey and Patrick Mekari arrive for their first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Nick Mullens and cornerback Jourdan Lewis arrive for their first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Chuma Edoga arrives for his first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Chuma Edoga meets the offensive line coaching staff during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown poses for portraits at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Patrick Mekari meets head coach Liam Coen during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey signs his contract at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis meets the defensive coaching staff during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Hunter Long poses for portraits at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey arrives for his first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Johnny Mundt arrives for his first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Nick Mullens poses for portraits at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Robert Hainsey and Chuma Edoga arrive for their first day at the Miller Electric Center on March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis meets the defensive coaching staff during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Nick Mullens signs his contract at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive linemen Chuma Edoga (left) and Patrick Mekari (right) mets head coach Liam Coen during their first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis meets the defensive coaching staff during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Hunter Long signs his contract at the Miller Electric Center on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
