Most of the top names in the NFL free-agent market have found a new home, and for the Jacksonville Jaguars new head coach, Urban Meyer, it's been an experience he wishes was different.

Meyer has been a coach at the college level for quite some time, and there, recruiting is rather personal. He gets to know the players a little bit and builds a relationship with them. The NFL however is a completely different experience for the Jaguars coach, per ESPN.

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer knew free agency was going to be different from recruiting, but he wasn't really prepared for one of the most glaring discrepancies: signing guys without meeting them.

Article Continues Below
More Jaguars News
Jaguars news: Jacksonville signs former Cardinals pass-rush specialist in free agency, Dennis Gardeck
Jaguars sign former Cardinals pass-rush specialist in free agencyChris Spiering ·
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen looks on during a rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center Saturday, May 10, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jaguars add veteran reinforcements for OTAsJaren Kawada ·
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) catches a pass during the first organized team activity at Miller Electric Center.
Jaguars’ Travis Hunter pick at OTAs has Pat McAfee uttering ‘Holy s**t’Benjamin Adducchio ·
Jacksonville Jaguars hidden gems Brenton Strange, Jarrian Jones, Robert Hainsey
3 Jacksonville Jaguars hidden gems on 2025 roster you need to knowCameron Zunkel ·
Dec 29, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Liam Coen shoots down ‘inaccurate’ Travis Etienne Jr. trade rumorsMike Gianakos ·
Mystery player in the middle, Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr around him, Jaguars logo in the background
1 Jacksonville Jaguars rookie who stood out most in 2025 minicampEnzo Flojo ·

The NFL allows for teams to contact player's agents to begin negotiating contracts two days before the official start of free agency. Front offices have to make their decisions without speaking to players for the most part during the free-agent period. Meyer doesn't seem to like that approach, as he prefers a more personable approach. This was his answer when asked about the NFL's rule for negotiating contracts with free agents:

“To answer your question, that was awful, and I don't believe it should be that way. Not when you're making organizational decisions. I'm not sure how that rule came about, but to me that's not good business.”

It seems he's worked through that issue though, as the Jaguars have signed 11 players as of March 19th. Most of those players have a past connection with someone on his coaching staff, so Meyer can rest assured there are some relationships built on the roster heading into next season.