In a way, Dyami Brown needed to have a year of experiencing something new with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Brown, the Washington Commanders' third-round pick in 2021, left the team that drafted him and signed with the Jaguars on a one-year deal following a standout playoff performance that included 14 receptions on 18 targets for 229 yards and a touchdown. Brown described Jacksonville as a place where "he had to see himself grow in a different way," and even though the Jaguars elected not to re-sign him, he views it as an important learning experience.
Brown missed playing for the Commanders, though, and he's glad to be back in the burgundy and gold with his old teammates, now armed with more knowledge and a refined skill set that he believes will help Washington reignite its offense.
"I kinda understand the game a little bit more than what I have in the past," Brown said. "I took the steps to learn from other people like Jakobi Myers, BTJ [Brian Thomas Jr.] and even...the quarterback, Trevor [Lawrence]. That kind of took the game to another level and a different viewpoint for me."
Brown -- one of the more decorated wide receivers in program history at North Carolina -- seemed to be on the cusp of coming into his own during his last season with the Commanders in 2024. Prior to his playoff run, when he tied Terry McLaurin for the most receptions on the team, he hit career-highs in receptions (30), targets (40) and yards (308) during the regular season.
Some of the traits he was drafted for, such as his ability to stretch the field and make contested catches, flashed with Jayden Daniels as his quarterback. One of his best highlights came in Week 5 against the Cleveland Browns, when he hauled in a 41-yard touchdown grab before halftime as part of a 34-13 win for the Commanders.
Those improvements earned him a new opportunity with the Jaguars. Brown's 2025 season came with a mix of mental and physical adversity. He experienced a shoulder injury in Week 3 that affected his role and production, but there were still moments where he showed his potential. He had three games with at least 50 yards and caught the opening touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2.
Now, however, Brown is healthy again and "better than ever."
"I've learned so much, and I've grown so much, mentally, physically," Brown said. "And age probably has something to do with it, just the mindset of growing. I think, for me, it's still to go out there and dominate and be the best version of me every single day."
Brown trusted his agent to figure out where his next opportunity would come, but he certainly liked the idea of playing for Washington again. He missed his teammates as well as the bond he created with them, and he felt like "a part of home was missing" during the time he was away from the team.
Many of his old teammates are now his teammates once again, but home looks a bit different. The locker rooms and meeting rooms all received an upgrade in the year that Brown played for the Jaguars. There's also new leadership on offense, as David Blough was promoted to offensive coordinator to help the Commanders have a more balanced attack.
Brown has high expectations for Blough in his new role, saying "the sky is the limit" for his new coordinator.
"He's very smart," Brown said. "He understands the game a lot. He played it, coached in it. He was under some great O.C.'s along the way, and I'm really excited for what he has in store for this place. I don't doubt him at all."
Brown doesn't know what his role will be in the new offense. It's possible that he will go back to being the vertical threat that he started to be in 2024. The Commanders could use his services in that regard, as there isn't a clear answer on who the No. 2 receiver will be opposite McLaurin.
Right now, though, Brown's goals are simpler than that. He just wants to earn a spot.
"At the end of the day, it's just me going out there and competing and finding a way to make the team better as well," Brown said. "At the end of the day, I need them just like they need me."
