WATFORD, United Kingdom – His goal is clear, lofty and productive.
Montaric Brown has spent the past two-plus years working toward that goal, and he continues to do so.
"Every year, my goal is to get better and better," he said.
So far, so good.
Brown, a bright spot in a difficult Jaguars 2024 season, joined senior writer John Oehser for this Week 7 O-Zone Podcast. Speaking as the Jaguars prepare to play the second of back-to-back games in London, the cornerback discussed his path from a seventh-round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft to one of the team's best defensive players through seven games this season.
"Being drafted in a late round motivated me," Brown said as the Jaguars (1-5) prepared to play the New England Patriots (1-5) at Wembley Stadium in London Sunday. "I just let that keep motivating me and keep that wood in the fire. I just keep working every day and keep grinding. I just want to prove my respect to my teammates and be great."
Brown, after starting once late in his rookie season, started six games in 2023 as starting corner Tyson Campbell dealt with a hamstring injury – and he has started the last five games with Campbell again dealing with a hamstring issue.
He has played solidly as a starter this season in a secondary and defense that has struggled at times, impressing with a high-effort – and high-energy – style.
"It's just the NFL," he said with a smile. "You're in the NFL. It's the best league in the world. I'm having fun playing a kid's game. I've been playing this game since I was little, so I'm just having fun. That's the fun of the game.
"If you're not having fun, you shouldn't be playing."
And if the Jaguars' 1-5 start has diminished at least some of the fun around the Jaguars, Brown said he his teammates view the situation differently. A one-sided loss to the Chicago Bears, he said, is in the past with the approach for this week simple.
"You just have to flush it and move on," he said. "It's the same mentality – and for the defense, we stay attack and aggressive and take the ball away. You're doing your job. Everybody has to do their job and give effort and keep the main thing the main thing."
Listen to the entire O-Zone Podcast with Brown below. To view more episodes of the O-Zone Podcast, click HERE.
