JACKSONVILLE – This is a new Jaguars era, with transparency a buzzword.
As James Gladstone sees it, it's perhaps more than that. To the Jaguars' first-year general manager, transparency is a way for fans to understand that this is an organization with a bold, clear approach.
And doing that well matters to Gladstone very much.
"For our fan base, we want to give you familiarity and clarity with how we move," he said.
Gladstone, who led his first draft as the Jaguars' general manager this past weekend, joined senior writer John Oehser for this week's post 2025 NFL Draft O-Zone Podcast. He discussed multiple topics, including the first-round trade to select wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter No. 2 overall.
It was a bold, aggressive trade – one that set the tone for the organization moving forward. It was also an expensive trade that Gladstone said showed the alignment of the organization.
"Travis Hunter is a rare player, rare person," Gladstone said. "That combination in some way, shape or form makes it fairly easy. At the same time, I understand the gravity of a decision of that magnitude. It's not without careful thought, careful consideration and a collective buy in.
"The work from our coaching staff, our scouting staff and even our support staff to make sure we had a very clear vision was something we had to work through.
"Obviously that took a coordinated effort."
Gladstone, too, discussed the Jaguars' decision-makers' philosophy of allowing fans detailed looks at the Jaguars' operations with content such as this podcast and The Hunt – the next episode of which will detail the trade for Hunter and the rest of the '25 draft.
"We want you all (fans) to understand the 'why' behind it, and see it come to life on the grass,'' Gladstone said. "We want to make it so you guys are all proud to support, proud to back. Beyond that, it's not all that different from what I'm used to.
"When I was with the Los Angeles Rams, I was the primary point of contact between the scouting staff and the content team. Being in Hollywood, the entertainment capital, we understood this is an entertainment business.
"For our fan base in Jacksonville, we want to make sure that access granted in a way that doesn't give us any sort of concern about maintaining competitive advantage, but also provides you all with understanding [of how the team operates]."
Listen to the entire O-Zone Podcast with Gladstone.
There's a lot going on in Duval County. 👀 From the DUUUVAL Draft Party to Travis Hunter's first day as a Jacksonville Jaguar, inside the draft room and during our live show programming — we made sure all Jaguars fans were looped in on the action. Swipe through some of our best behind-the-scenes photos from our NFL Draft weekend. ➡️
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars 2025 first round draft pick Travis Hunter during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on April 25, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars 2025 first round draft pick Travis Hunter during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on April 25, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars 2025 first round draft pick Travis Hunter during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on April 25, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars 2025 first round draft pick Travis Hunter during his first day at the Miller Electric Center on April 25, 2025.
