Security measures at EverBank Field will change slightly for the 2016 season as the facility is set to install new metal detectors before the first preseason game, according to the team.

The change is part of a mandate by the NFL that will make walk-through magnetometers mandatory by the start of the 2017 season, said Bill McConnell, general manager of SMG Jacksonville.

He said SMG worked with the Jaguars and the city to get the new security measures in place as soon as possible.

Funding was approved by the city last year, and the project will cost $400,000 to $500,000, McConnell said. He said it will come from the sports complex capital maintenance fund.

Fans were previously checked by security with wand-style metal detectors and the new system will allow for quicker entry into the games, said Dan Edwards, spokesman for the Jaguars.

"We actually did some testing at some home games last year and found that the flow moved very well, very swiftly," Edwards said.

He said the magnetometers will enhance security and at the same time make the fan experience better by cutting down on long security lines.

The new mandate was not related to the recent mass shooting in Orlando, Edwards said. He said the new security measures have been in the works for months.

"We were in position to get them in for this season so we are going to go ahead and have them in place," Edwards said.

McConnell said there will be about 125 magnetometers for Jaguars home games and some of them will be temporary, making it possible to move them to Veterans Memorial Arena.

Joe Daraskevich: (904) 359-4308