JACKSONVILLE – Laquon Treadwell likes his situation. A lot.
He likes his team, his role, his present and his future. As importantly, the Jaguars' veteran wide receiver likes his mindset midway through the 2021 season.
"The best I've ever been mentally, on and off the field," he said.
Treadwell, a six-year veteran wide receiver, joined senior writer John Oehser this week for the Week 11 2021 O-Zone Podcast. He discussed multiple issues, particularly a career in which the first-round selection by the Minnesota Vikings in the 2016 NFL Draft has played with three teams – the Vikings (2016-2019), the Atlanta Falcons (2020) and the Jaguars.
The long journey aided his most recent transition.
"It helps me a lot," Treadwell. "It also helps me help the younger guys. Going through five different offensive coordinators in Minnesota, five different quarterbacks … it hasn't been the best, but it also put a lot of things in perspective for me. Everyone says, 'Control what you can control.'
"I realized, 'Let me slow this down. Let me focus on what I can do better, what I need to focus on, what I need to hone in on.' I had to stay true to myself and know that I could still play – and still play at a high level."
He joined the Jaguars this past offseason a tryout basis, impressed at times during organized team activities and training camp – then spent much of the regular season on the practice squad. He was active this past Sunday, making his first reception with the Jaguars – a 18-yarder for a first down in a 23-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
"To stand here today, and still have an opportunity in the NFL, and still with the same dreams and goals, it shows persistence and consistency is the key," Treadwell.
And Treadwell said if his path has been difficult at times, it has helped him off the field as much as it has helped on it.
"Anyone that's close to me, they're getting the best version of me on a day-to-day basis," Treadwell said. "I've really come into my own. I've been living my life through football a lot – starting at 10 years old. I'm 26 now, so everything was football. As I entered the NFL, things didn't go my way.
"It reshaped who I was as a person, as a man, a husband, a child of God – and as a teammate. I've learned a lot throughout my journey."
To hear the entire O-Zone Podcast with Treadwell, click HERE.
