Not many Washington Commanders fans thought they would see wide receiver Dyami Brown again. As it turned out, he was gone only a year before getting his chance to make a bigger impression.
It's a second chance he's not planning to waste, and he let everyone connected to the Commanders know they are going to get a different player this time around.
The Commanders signed Brown to a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, including incentives. This comes after an underwhelming campaign with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where the former North Carolina standout couldn't firmly establish himself and gradually became an afterthought down the stretch.
Dyami Brown believes improved resolve can seize his second chance with Commanders
There wasn't much chance of Jacksonville giving him another contract, but the Commanders still see some untapped potential left in the wideout. Brown said he'd learned a lot from influential figures in the Jaguars' locker room. And he's planning to put this to good use back in Washington.
"Really just mentally. I kind of understand the game a little bit more than what I have in the past. I took the steps to learn from other people like Jakobi Meyers, BTJ [Brian Thomas Jr.] out there. And I had some people to help me around, even the quarterback, Trevor [Lawrence], you know. Just learning from him. They kind of took the game to another level and a different viewpoint for me."
Brown's always had the physical tools, shining over almost every summer. They have never been in question. The mental part of his game saw his confidence go up and down drastically, and he committed critical errors in key moments throughout his first spell in Washington. If the 2021 third-round pick has added this extra resolve, all hope is not lost just yet.
The mentality side of things is equally as important as the performances. Everyone in the NFL can play football; they wouldn't have made it to the pinnacle of the sport otherwise. What separates the good from the great is the mental fortitude to overcome adversity, correct mistakes, and do that little bit more than everyone else.
While Brown was found wanting in that regard during his early years, spending considerable time with Jakobi Meyers, in particular, has taught him what it takes to be a professional. Coming back to the Commanders is a humbling experience, but the lessons learned along the way should serve him well.
Nothing is guaranteed. Brown will have to earn everything coming his way. His roster spot is not guaranteed, but his previous connection to quarterback Jayden Daniels gives him a solid platform from which to build.
And if his focus is renewed and Brown's mental strength has progressed, this could be a shrewd reunion.