JACKSONVILLE – The end came at last, and that was good.

Doug Pederson spoke to the media Wednesday on the final day of Jaguars 2024 mandatory minicamp, a session that essentially ended the offseason program. Pederson as he spoke detailed his thoughts on the coming weeks – weeks that will lead to '24 training camp and eventually the regular season. His message for players:

Enjoy. And keep it in perspective.

"You definitely want them to get away, relax and enjoy this last little bit of summer before we start," he said.

And yet …

"At the same time, the message is to continue to work out, continue to run, continue to review the information that we gave them this offseason, so that when they come back, they come back ready – they come back in shape, they come back mentally and physically ready to go for training camp," he said.

The Jaguars practiced for about an hour Wednesday morning on the final day of '24 minicamp – three days that marked the only mandatory work of the offseason. The minicamp also marked the end of Phase 3 of the offseason program, with the first three weeks being what is known as "organized team activities."

OTA and minicamp practices are held under the same rules. They are non-padded and therefore feature no live contact, with teams allowed to work in seven-on-seven and 11-on-11 situations.

While the minicamp is mandatory, Pederson – as he did in his two previous offseasons as the Jaguars' head coach – excused multiple veterans from the period and chose instead to focus on rookies, young players and players returning from injuries.

Pederson was asked on Wednesday how he felt about the work this week for young players.

"Good," he said, smiling. "Good."

Pederson cited players such as defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris, nose tackle DaVon Hamilton, right tackle Anton Harrison, wide receiver Gabe Davis and safety Darnell Savage as veterans participating this week because they're returning from injuries.

"Until they get medically cleared, that's why those guys are here," he said. "Otherwise, they would've been the guys probably on the surfboards right now."

Multiple second-year players such as running back Tank Bigsby, wide receiver Elijah Cooks, offensive lineman Cooper Hodges, linebacker Ventrell Miller, cornerback Erick Hallett II, safety Antonio Johnson, wide receiver Parker Washington, defensive tackle Tyler Lacy and linebacker Yasir Abdullah – all of whom were either '23 draft selections or who made the roster as collegiate free agents – participated this week.

"They're second-year players who maybe didn't play a lot last year and are coming into their own a little bit," Pederson said. "We just wanted to give another three days of just development and growth."

Also participating this week: The entire 2024 rookie class, with Pederson on Wednesday discussing the early approach of wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., the No. 23 overall selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.

Pederson on Wednesday said he expects Thomas to benefit from a wide receiver group that includes veterans such as Davis and Christian Kirk, with Kirk entering his third season with the team and Davis signing this offseason as an unrestricted free agent after four seasons with the Buffalo Bills.

"I think it's a good transition to have the veteran leadership in those rooms, especially in this situation with Brian being the draft pick and being in that room as well," he said. "I think it makes his life a little bit easier from the standpoint of just the comfort of the guys around him.

"I think for Brian to be able to see all that maybe puts his mind at ease just a little bit as he transitions now to camp, which ramps up even more."

NOTABLE

• Pederson on Wednesday praised veteran quarterback Mac Jones' approach during the offseason. Jones, the No. 15 overall selection by the New England Patriots in the 2021 NFL Draft, was acquired by the Jaguars in a trade with the Patriots this offseason. He is expected to be a backup to starter Trevor Lawrence. Jones, the only quarterback participating this week, has been notable throughout the offseason being vocal and enthusiastic throughout practices. "He's done a nice job," Pederson said, adding that when it came to the offseason Jones "came in early, and he's one of those guys that wanted to be in the building and just learn. He's just another good piece to add to our roster, especially to that room. He's obviously the only quarterback this week that we have, and it's good for him. He can get all the reps that he can and put himself in a position to really compete during camp."