Highlights of General Manager James Gladstone's news conference

Jacksonville Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone held a news conference on Sept. 1 at the Miller Electric Center, discussing a wide range of personnel moves involving the team's cut-down day of Aug. 30, the trade for backup quarterback Quinn Ewers and other reasons for the team's final 53-man roster and its practice squad.

The Jaguars will begin their regular game-week routine next week before opening the 2026 seasonat EverBank Stadium against the Cleveland Browns.

James Gladstone on the trade for Ewers

"We were evaluating the quarterback position over the course of the training camp and preseason games, and we were exploring a couple different options, of which Quinn came to life there Saturday morning [Aug. 29]. And that was really the first time that we had engaged in conversations

with the Dolphins. And it didn't take long to reach an agreement. And ultimately, between myself and [coach] Liam [Coen] pouring into some of the games that Quinn had in his rookie campaign, felt good enough about the upward trajectory and really what he showcased over the course of those performances."

James Gladstone on keeping more D-linemen than LBs

"There was a little bit of roster math that looks different than this time last year on that front, so lighter at LB, but heavier across the defensive front. And we had a real good competition going there and brewing on the edges for our defensive ends and that consisted of a lot of young guys. And Bryan Thomas Junior's emergence over the course of this off season and through the preseason games themselves has certainly lent us to keep him on the 53-man roster.

James Gladstone on signing QB Nick Mullens to the practice squad

"Nick's presence here … it means a ton. His familiarity with the system, it's like having another coach in the room and certainly being able to understand that he can operate our offense in the way that it's intended to is something that we don't want to just separate from. And so that was a real conversation and authentic conversation that we had to have with Nick and appreciate very much just the way that he went about it and the professionalism that he showcased."

More from James Gladstone on DE Bryan Thomas Jr.

"There was still more to be done [in the final preseason game] and I think he went out there and continued to prove it. He left no doubt. I think anybody that was on that sideline in those stands or watching on TV could feel that. When you earn it, you're going to get it and we're not afraid or going to shy away from the fact that when that is something that surfaces to the top, to pursue it regardless of where you started, regardless of how much you make."

James Gladstone on Parker Washington's contract talks

"There's been a lot of positive progress, a lot of good back and forth … in terms of any discussions around contract extension or what his future holds, I think we're certainly in a position where we're not going to stop talking and trying to figure something out. I think we've certainly not shown any unwillingness to do stuff even during the course of the season."

James Gladstone on rookie WRs Josh Cameron and C.J. Williams

"Those guys have done a great job and I think that room as a whole has done a great job together and all of them give a lot to the one beside them. They've done a great job of absorbing information, really soaking up and observing the way that others go about business and have tried to put that into action."

James Gladstone on three undrafted free agent DEs making the team the last two years

"It's not a position that typically lends itself to undrafted college free agents [Bryan Thomas Jr., Daniel Striggow, B.J. Green II] making it on initial 53-man rosters or B, performing in games through that. To have that happen back-to-back cycles is unique.

"I've got to give a ton of credit to our coaches and scouts who are paired together in that process and executing those signings post-draft, prioritizing the list of players who they're going to pursue. I think it's a reflection of that collaboration for sure, those individuals themselves and earning the [opportunities]. But at this point in time, got to say excited to see what the real output shows once we get into some true action.

James Gladstone on the use of CB/WR Travis Hunter

"I don't think that that vision has shifted in any way. I think the great part about having him on our roster is that as dynamics shift over the course of an offseason, over the course of the regular season, you get to use him in different ways. And as it stands, the composition of our roster would indicate defensive output full time is going to be where we see him contributing in the most ways and then supplementing that on offense in the instances that it makes sense to be in as productive and efficient as we can be while also threatening any defense that lines up against him when he's at wide receiver is certainly something that we're looking forward to."

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Highlights of General Manager James Gladstone's news conference