JACKSONVILLE — The Jaguars acquired second-year quarterback Quinn Ewers from the Miami Dolphins for a sixth-round selection in the 2028 NFL Draft, General Manager James Gladstone said Tuesday, calling it a move that came together rapidly as the team finalized its 53-player regular-season roster.
Gladstone said the possibility of trading for Ewers came “to life” Saturday morning. “That was really the first time we had engaged in conversations with the Dolphins,” he said. “It didn’t take long to reach an agreement. Ultimately, between myself and Liam pouring into some of the games Quinn had in his rookie campaign, felt good enough about the upward trajectory and really what he showcased over the course of those performances, and trying tap into that and continue to work with him and build with him into the future.”
The trade prompted a reshuffling at quarterback. The team released backup Nick Mullens — starter Trevor Lawrence’s backup in 2025 — on Sunday, then re-signed the eight-year veteran to the practice squad Monday. Lawrence and Ewers are now the only quarterbacks on the active roster. Gladstone described Mullens as “like having another coach in the room” and praised his professionalism. “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,” Gladstone said.
Beyond the quarterback move, the roster cutdown produced a standout story in rookie defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr., the only undrafted free agent to make the initial 53. Thomas registered a team-high 3.5 preseason sacks. “When you earn it, you’re going to get it,” Gladstone said. Thomas became the third undrafted free agent to make the first regular-season roster in the past two seasons, following defensive ends Danny Striggow and B.J. Green II last year. Linebacker Branson Combs, who signed as an undrafted free agent and started last season on the practice squad, also made this year’s roster. “We’re trying to win football games. We’re going to do what’s in the best interest of the Jacksonville Jaguars and our team heading into 2026 and the best 11 are going to be out there,” Gladstone said.
Gladstone also addressed the contract status of fourth-year wide receiver Parker Washington, a sixth-round selection in the 2023 NFL Draft who became eligible for an extension in March. Gladstone said the two sides have made “a lot of progress” and had “a lot of good back and forth.” “We’re certainly in a position where we’re not going to stop talking and try to figure something out,” he said. “He showcases on a daily basis who he is, how he operates. The focus, the determination, the consistency … all that stuff is rooted in just his actions more than any words that he speaks.”
On the offensive line, Gladstone said third-round pick Emmanuel Pregnon, a guard from the University of Oregon, “is in a really good spot” after working extensively at first-team left guard late in training camp. Ezra Cleveland, last year’s starting left guard, has shifted to right guard after the team placed 2025 starting right guard Patrick Mekari on injured reserve/designated to return. Mekari must miss at least the first four regular-season games, though Gladstone said his “threshold for return” would be “quickly thereafter” that time frame.
The Jaguars, led by Head Coach Liam Coen and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tony Boselli, open the regular season against the Cleveland Browns at EverBank Stadium on September 13.