QUARTERBACK MAC JONES
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024
(On building off the win to keep the momentum going through the rest of the season) “It’s a
great win. It was a good team win. As you know, once Wednesday comes, you kind of just
move onto the next week, so definitely want to carry that with you. In this league, it’s hard to
win and you want to try to stack some wins if you can.”
(On the effect of the win on his confidence moving forward) “I think you always, you win or
you lose, you learn either way. That’s what my goal is, to learn how to get better, try to get
some more points early and put our defense in a better position throughout the game.
We’ve got a good plan this week and we’re going to have some good practices.”
(On if he’s feeling more comfortable as he has more opportunities to lead) “Yeah, for sure.
As you know I like to keep it loose and have fun. I’m also very fierce when I’m out there, but
at the same time, I just want to go out there and have fun and put up points and keep
everybody loose. That’s in the huddle, that’s in my play. That starts at practice, so really just
continuing to do that and see where it goes.”
(On why he thinks the offense has gotten off to slow starts) “I mean, I’m not a football
scientist, but there’s definitely things you learn not only from experiences this year but in
the past. I’m watching other teams and how they start fast. Really just starts with good
quarterback play and going out there and taking the completions and moving the chains,
and honestly just getting rid of the ball because we’re not going to get any yards until I get
rid of it. I’m not very fast, so the best way to do that is give it to the running backs, tight
ends, receivers. Let them make plays. Sometimes when you put such focus on, hey, we
haven’t scored at all, sometimes that backfires. So really just the process of each play, one
play at a time, six seconds per play. That’s all you can really do. Hopefully, that stacks into a
really good drive, and then you either get a field goal or a touchdown. Then you reset and do
the same thing on the next drive. That’s kind of how I see it.”
(On if he feels pressure to start fast this week) “Not really, honestly. It sounds crazy, but you
don’t have control over some things that happen each play. Like I always say, ‘You have a
job to do.’ If it’s a run play for me, either hand it off or check to a different run and then
throw it to the open guy as best as I can. That’s how I look at it and I hope that’s how
everyone else looks at it because at the end of the day, if you’re constantly thinking about
the result, then you’re not going to be focused on what I am supposed to do on this play to
create that result. I think that is part of the finger on the issue, but really just take it one play
at a time.”
(On if the offense has a different feel when WR Brian Thomas Jr. gets the ball) “Yeah. Brian
is a really good player. He’s obviously young, but he wants the ball. I love that about him. He
kind of demands it, which is awesome for a quarterback. I haven’t had much of that in my
career where guys are like, ‘Hey, I really want this ball right here. Throw it up, I’ll make a
play.’ I really appreciate that about him. For a rookie, he has a lot of confidence, and for me,
just trying to keep him loose in the huddle and having fun out there. I feel like he plays really
good when he’s having fun and just focusing on his job and running and making plays.”
(On when it was decided that Thomas Jr. should get the ball more) “It was definitely the
plan to get him the ball because he’s one of our best players. I think it was just understood,
hey, we’ve got to get some things going. Really it was me taking the completions, whether it
was Brian or anybody else. In this offense, it’s very ‘spread the wealth’ offense where you’re
trying to get it to the open guy. Obviously, NFL defenses can take it away, whether that’s
rolling down into a coverage or double-teaming someone. B.T. is definitely getting some of
that, which is great. That’s a respect thing. But there’s also ways where we could get him
incorporated earlier. Really with me, we call plays to get him the ball early. It’s just maybe I
drop my eyes or something happened. Each play is different, but you also have to be
careful when you’re force-feeding someone where they’re your best player and they’re
trying to take some things away too. So, you just have to read it out and trust the play call
and trust what Press [Offensive Coordinator Press Taylor] has taught us. He’s done a great
job in the meetings, especially recently, explaining this is the purpose of the play, this is
why we’re running it, here’s a video and how can we apply that into our own offense.”
(On how high WR Brian Thomas Jr.’s ceiling is) “He’s a great player and as a rookie,
everyone’s been there and has been a rookie before as a veteran. It’s tough. There’s a lot of
things coming at you, different looks. We have a lot of other good players too, so it’s not
obviously just him, but he definitely brings that electrifying playmaking ability, and he’s very
smart and works very hard. He’s all ball for sure. Trying to get him to loosen up a little bit,
have a little bit more fun and enjoy it because it’s fun out there especially when he’s making
plays.”
(On if his experience playing the AFC East helps him prepare for Sunday vs. Jets) “Yeah, I
hope so. It’s definitely the NFL’s top defense in my opinion. Over my career so far, they’re
the best defense I’ve gone against each year. Not only players, but scheme and coaching.
Obviously, they’re familiar with me and I have some former teammates over there and guys
I’ve played against five, six times. Definitely looking forward to it. They’ve done a good job
this year. I know their record is the same, but really their defense is one of a kind. I’ve got a
lot of respect for those guys over there.”
HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024
(On what he’s seen from New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers) “Yeah, Aaron is still Aaron. He
can be highly efficient, highly effect. Still can throw actuate footballs. Quick release.
Probably can’t move as well as we once did, but he’s still an elite quarterback and that’s
something you’ve got to prepare for.”
(On if he can remember what it was like to be age 41 and if he can imagine playing
quarterback at age 41) “It’s a credit to him and what he does in the offseason, what he does
during the regular season, how he takes care of himself because this game can beat you
down physically. 41—I was 36 when I shut it down. So, I think I was back with the Eagles, as
you mentioned. I was quality control when I was 41. In your mind, you still feel like you’re
- Maybe he’s not thinking 21. One of the things I’ve always appreciated about Aaron is the
way he approaches to the game, and the fun that he has, the excitement you see around
him and what he can create on the field.”
(On the impact players on the Jets defense) “[Jets DL] Quinnen Williams, [Jets DL] Javon
Kinlaw, [Jets CB] Sauce Gardner. I mean the list goes on. This is not a 3-10 defense. I‘ll tell
you that. This is a really good defense, and the pieces have been brought in to do just that.
Look, they’re in the same situation we are. I think they have seven losses as well that are
one-score games—one this weekend. They’re doing and saying the same things we are and
looking to win a game. It’s something we’ve got to be prepared for, and I know they will too.”
(On why the running game has stagnated recently) “Some of it too, if you look at some of
the defensive lines we’ve played, take a look at last week with those two big D-tackles. It’s
going to be the same this week. It’s sometimes just tough. I think the thing that we’ve got to
do a better job at is be more consistent in sticking with it. I think that’s something over the
years, when the run doesn’t work early, that’s something you just try to pull back and find
something else to do. But I think you’ve just got to try to stick with it and you’ve got to just
make those adjustments on the sideline too during the game, halftime and then even
during the week in practice. You can vet some things out in the run game as you watch film,
as you practice and you really try out fine tune it just a little bit more. But I’ll say this: the
guys we’ve faced in the last couple weeks are some good D-lines. Some good tackles,
we’ve faced some good ends. Sometimes it’s a little bit harder.”
(On trying to get the young guys on defense some more snaps) “Yeah. There’s a fine line.
Obviously, these aren’t preseason games where you’re trying to play everybody and get
everybody in the game. You’re trying to win the football game, and you play with the guys
that you feel give you the best chance to do that. So, if you have the opportunity to get a
young player in the game and see, yes, you can do that. But at the same time, you’re still
trying to win that football game and accomplish a few of your goals in the last month of the
season.”
(On expectations for TE Evan Engram, OL Anton Harrison, DT DaVon Hamilton and S Darnell
Savage’s availability) “Anton, illness. He’s feeling better, so he’ll practice today. Evan’s
dealing with the shoulder, obviously coming out of the game, so he won’t do anything today.
We’ll rest him today and get him back, but anticipate him for the game on Sunday. [DaVon]
was fine. He played in the game, came out OK. Savage was good. Ross [LS Ross Matscik],
you saw the roster moves, both those guys [Matiscik and P Logan Cooke] are good. Tyson
[CB Tyson Campbell] came out good. So, yeah, we came out relatively healthy.”
(On if the win gives momentum to the team for the rest of the season) “Yeah, I think just
focusing on this week. It was good to get the guys back this morning and feel the energy
from a win. It doesn’t matter how it looks or how you get it, the fact that you got one. It’s
been a while. Sometimes you don’t know how to react. But it felt good. The guys were
jazzed, and it’s something we can build on. Still got to correct the mistakes, look at that and
focus on those and improve this week. But it does give you a bit of juice going into the
week.”
(On how to prepare for Jets wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams) “Two really
good receivers. I mean, the history Davante has with Aaron is well documented, obviously,
and you’re seeing more and more the connection with Garrett. It’s a discipline. You’ve just
got to stick to your job. You’ve got to stick to what you’ve been asked to do this week and
how you’ve been taught going in, what the game plan looks like. I think, too, you can affect
the pass with pass rush and design rushes, and you’ve got to be able to do that too. Work is
cut out for our guys, but look forward to Sunday and watching them play.”
(On the progress of the secondary) “I think as the season’s progressed guys have gotten
better. I thought we started the season; we made some mistakes. Even in the middle of the
season there were some mistakes, but I think the dust has kind of settled a little bit and
guys are understanding. Rotating guys a little bit more too, keeping guys fresher as the
game goes on has helped us. Just continuing to coach and teach, I think, has really helped
our secondary. They played a complete game this past weekend. It was good to see.”
(On what he saw from safeties Antonio Johnson and Darnell Savage together) “One, it just
starts with communication. Both those guys do a nice job of just talking back and forth
when they’re out on the field together talking with their corners and linebackers. Sav (S
Darnell Savage) would love to have the one play back on the short yardage play, obviously,
that he was just anticipating the potential run there, but I think what you’re seeing too is the
growth of Antonio as the season has progressed. I think we know what Darnell is and what
he can do and what he brings, but with Antonio, I think you’re seeing that growth and a little
bit of maturity the more he plays in these games.”
(On what being in the protocol and on injured reserve involves for QB Trevor Lawrence)
“Yeah, he still has to go through the steps. Still comes in the building every day and just
goes through it as if he were getting ready to play a game this weekend. But I think in this
case too, you’re not going to speed anything up. You’re not going to either push him through
or rush him through because you’ve still got to be careful with all of it, but at the same time,
we kind of go at his pace and let him, how he feels and his symptoms and all that kind of
stuff, and just go step-by-step.”
(On if QB Trevor Lawrence has cleared concussion protocol yet) “No.”
