HEAD COACH LIAM COEN
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
(On WR Dyami Brown’s injury) “Nothing yet. We’ll kind of get that stuff out in the injury
report today.”
(On if he expects it to be a long-term injury with Brown) “Can’t tell you right now.”
(On the challenges of facing 49ers Head Coach Kyle Shanahan) “Very well coached in all
three phases. Offensively, very detailed, the wide zone, mix it with some gap and perimeter
and then just the illusion of the run with the formations and the keepers, the boots and the
play pass is all pretty clean. They’ve done a nice job. I have a ton of respect for Kyle,
obviously offensively but also as a coach with what he’s been able to do in San Fran,
playing against those guys for so long being in LA. So, defensively they fly around, there’s a
huge, clear distinction in terms of the way that they play, very similar to the defense we just
played and the way that they attack, the way that they run to the football, the way that Fred
[49ers LB Fred Warner] tries to take the ball away and then on special teams, very well
coached. [49ers Special Teams Coordinator] Brant Boyer’s been an NFL special teams
coach for a long time and you can see that the way that they play on [special] teams very
similar to the way that they play on defense and very similar to the way that they try to run
the ball and impose their will physically on offense. So, a lot of respect.”
(On what makes 49ers LB Fred Warner a unique player in the NFL) “The athletic ability,
obviously. The length. His ability to dissect all the different schemes, he plays with a ton of
patience knowing that he does have the ability to go run, change direction, redirect,
dissecting the pass game and making plays in zone coverage. So yeah, I’ve competed
against Fred for a long time and a ton of respect obviously for the way that he plays. We’ve
got to make sure we get a hat on him in every possible scenario.”
(On the biggest takeaway from playing the 49ers last year with Tampa Bay) “I don’t think we
ran it great in that game. I know we didn’t have Mike [Buccaneers WR Mike Evans], CG
[Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin] or J-Mac [Buccaneers WR Jalen McMillan], I think we were
really down. Baker [Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield] gave us a chance at the end of the
game, we went down, had a chance in the red zone to go win the game, ended up settling
for a field goal and then they had a two-minute drive to go win it. So, it’s the physicality, it’s
going to be a very violent game I can imagine again. They don’t really panic. Like they’ve
been to Super Bowls over the last few years, been in division championship games, so they
do know how to win. Obviously, they’re 3-0 with the injuries that they’ve had, speaks so
much to probably the culture, the way that they operate, the way that they practice. So last
year was just we were down a little bit, no excuse because they’ve been down guys too and
found ways to win games and we just didn’t end up pulling that one out. I thought we played
hard, thought we played tough, we played physical, we just didn’t make enough plays in the
pass game, really to go and stretch them at all to make them respect us.”
(On the discipline required from QB Trevor Lawrence to operate against the 49ers rush)
“Huge because that’s basically what the scheme is saying out loud is we are going to play
this defense, obviously try to get after you with four which they’ve been able to do, and say
you’re going to get greedy at some point. You’re going to get bored at some point of kind of
playing the 12 to 15 and in game because they do play a ton of quarters lead the NFL, I
believe, in shell coverage and quarters and cover-six, quarter-quarter-half variations. We’ll
see if that holds true this week for sure, but that’s definitely what they’ve wanted to do
through three games, and it just makes you as a play caller and as a quarterback have to be
patient and meticulous and just keep taking what they end up giving you. And then yeah, we
have to take advantage of the ops that we do get down the field that we didn’t take
advantage of this past week and get them to initially maybe get into some single high to be
able to go throw it a little bit more, whatever it is. But it’s a patient defense because it’s
really hard to say we’ve got to go operate for 10, 11 plays and go execute all those 10 plays
up and down the field. They’re counting on not giving up the explosives so that they can say
you’re going to punt to us more then you’re going to score if you have to go on these long-
extended drives.”
(On WR/DB Travis Hunter being where he needs to be with motions and alignment) “I
wouldn’t say he’s behind. I think we can probably do a better job of helping him in some
ways. We had a great talk with Trav after this past game in terms of just man, like, alright,
how can we help you and put you because what is he learning? It’s a lot. So, we’ve got to, I
think, be a little bit more diligent in terms of putting him in positions to maybe not have to
do as many moving parts so that we can just let him go play. You saw he catches the out cut
the other day and makes multiple people miss, so that’s what we’re trying to continue to
push and that’s got to be on us as well. Yeah, he has a hand in it for sure, absolutely, but I
do think we can help him more.”
(On discovering what the team is good at offensively) “I think we’re getting there. You saw
glimpses within the first two weeks. You saw glimpses of it on Saturday. The touchdown
drive early in the game was operating at the level on which you want to be able to go
operate at. Throwing and catching and just doing those little things can probably lead to
having a little bit more balanced execution. In a game like that this past week where they
did some things to take away what we’ve done best thus far, which was run the football and
we didn’t make them pay in the pass game. So, we are still trying to figure out what it is truly
we are best at in the pass game and what that looks like. And also, from a run scheme
standpoint hey, we’ve got to be able to do what we do best, and people have to stop that as
well. Instead of, man, they do this, so we have to do that. It’s like, man, we got to go do what
we do best.”
(On if there are challenges when traveling out west) “Not personally, but I think it’s just
about, okay, we obviously got a five-hour flight. We’re trying to keep these guys in their East
Coast rhythm and routine as much as possible. So, we are kind of tailoring the schedule to
that so that we won’t maybe feel those effects as much. I think if you’re going out to play
obviously an organization and a team as competitive as San Fran is, I’m very hopeful that
these guys will be up for this. It’s more just about managing the five-hour flight, the
hydration, the sleep, and making sure that these guys are getting into the mindset for a
business trip that it is. So not concerned, but just definitely something we’ve had to be a
little bit aware of with our scheduling and our planning for sure.”
(On the changes to the schedule) “We’re just starting a little earlier Saturday. So, we’re
starting Saturday morning earlier. Get out, get on the flight, get our meetings done when we
get there and then obviously, curfew or bed check will be just earlier because it’ll basically
be midnight or 1:00 AM on our time, so trying to just go as late as we can to not get out of
our rhythm and routine as much as possible.”
(On if Hunter’s usage is fluid and can change with injuries) “Yeah, he’s right now one
position on offense and one position on defense, so that doesn’t really fully change. It’s just
more the next guy having to go and adjust, to go play some z which is what happened in the
game. So no, I don’t think it changes much.”
(On if he will play multiple wide receiver positions later on) “Yeah, I don’t think it’s fair right
now to say, hey dude, go learn z and x and 12 and this and that. It’s like, man, we’ve got to
make sure he can really go and execute what we’re asking him to do first and foremost,
which is play F and play corner. So, I think as we go and as he goes, I’ve got to believe that
it’ll continue to do this [upwards motion].”
(On WR Parker Washington) “I have not lost any confidence in Parker by any means, stuff
happens. It’s not obviously something that we’re excited about in the moment, but he takes
a lot of responsibility and accountability. He works his tail off every single day. Like I said,
he literally had his best week of practice last week as a Jag since we’ve been here. So,
there’s a lot of confidence. The message to him is, dude, like we got to just move forward,
man, you’re putting some really good stuff on tape, you’re practicing, you’re doing all the
right things, man, those things will come and hopefully that was just a one off.”
(On if he has discovered a reason for the offensive drops) “No, not quite. I think one thing I
mentioned the other day was just we’ve got to attack the ball more, I think with our hands,
instead of letting it maybe get into the body at times. We always talk about not trying to let
the ball cross our eyes. So if it’s an in breaker or even an out breaker, trying not to let it cross
you this way at all, there’s a difference between the ball being here [motions close to his
body] and going and getting it there. That’s just kind of the way we’re trying to coach it and
every rep in walkthrough that we have when we’re not throwing the football, those guys
have been getting all last week a catch, so they’re jogging back from a run play and they’re
getting a ball. So, we’re trying to do as much as we can in order to just continue to build
confidence that we can go out and make those plays. We need to go out and make those
plays for our offense to be able to go where it needs to go.”
(On 49ers FB Kyle Juszczyk) “Very versatile. Man, I coached against him when he was at
Harvard. I was at Brown, and he was a tight end, slot receiver, wildcat quarterback. He was
dynamic then, and the amount of years he’s played in this league at that position is pretty
darn impressive. And his ability to block at the point of attack, lead up on linebackers,
come across and bluff and go block a safety or a corner because of his athletic ability and
then, it is sneaky getting him out in the pass game because you’re saying, well a lot of times
where is he in the formation for run game tells, but then they do a nice job of marrying some
of that stuff up to sneak him out in the pass game. In the past, they’ve used him as their
pass protector on third downs as the running back. So, ton of things that they’ve done with
him and I have a lot of respect for him as a player.”
(On what an offense has to do for downfield opportunities to start clicking) “It’s got to
happen out here [points toward practice field]. Yeah, it’s got to happen out here. We’ve got
to be able to do it in practice and then it’ll probably happen in the games.”
(On if he expects 49ers QB Brock Purdy to play this week) “Yeah, I don’t know. I think we’re
preparing for both scenarios. Obviously, two different style quarterbacks. Brock has been
able to operate that offense at a high level. Obviously, he’s off schedule, he can make
plays, he can escape and he keeps his eyes down the field really well and then if it’s nothing
there, he can take off and go a little bit. So, we’re preparing for both scenarios as best as we
can and whichever way it kind of plays out, I think our guys will be ready.”
(On the 49ers defensive line without DL Nick Bosa) “Man, Huff [DL Bryce Huff] and [DL]
Mykel Williams, man, those two guys specifically on the edge that obviously Nick, that’s
where he played They’re good players. These guys have – Huff has affected the game in
multiple different ways with his speed, rush, being able to go on the edge in those known
passing situations and then Williams is an every down player right now for them in terms of
he’s a big dude. The way that they coach them up front is to roll off the ball and they’re kind
of stopping the run on their way to the quarterback. He fits that model does a nice job
playing violent against tight ends. So yeah, it’s still a challenge for us. Obviously with Bosa,
you never want to see that happen for any player, especially somebody that is so dynamic
for them. You don’t want to see that happen but it’s not – those other two guys are going to
be able to go too.”
(On how LB Dennis Gardeck is a good fit for Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile’s
scheme) “The play style, I think first and foremost you’d say. Just the ability for him, it’s kind
of relentless for him in pursuit. I think you’ve seen throughout the last three weeks, him just
kind of getting a little bit better and better, more comfortable coming off the injury. He can
rush obviously a little bit, but he’ll blow up tight ends, he throws his body in there and then
he can go play in space. He’s been a career special teams guy. People have used him,
Arizona used him in the rush, but also dropping out, catching interceptions, tips. The way
that Dennis plays is something I’ve always really respected. I’ve kind of said that a few
times and he’s the right type of pro. The way he takes care of his body, the way that he does
things has put himself in a position to earn more reps and to help contribute for our team to
go win.”
QUARTERBACK TREVOR LAWRENCE
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2025
(On OL Robert Hainsey) “He’s awesome. It’s been a lot of fun just since he’s come in. I think
our communication is so important to just the way the offense goes and he’s a guy that’s
been in the system before, so I leaned on him a lot, especially early on. But even now, just
our meetings throughout the week, stuff we talk about just preparing for the game, whether
it’s the run game stuff or protection, we’re really in sync and I think that that shows in how
we communicate and operate as far as a unit up front, whether it’s run game or protection
stuff. I think we’ve done a solid job with all that stuff. So, he leads the charge up there, he
does a great job and a guy that just does things the right way, comes to work every day,
works hard, makes sure that that room is all communicating. I think he’s done a good job of
leading the room and just making sure that they’re all on the same page, and if there’s any
things that are unclear with the plan, he’s always a guy that voices it and gets answers and
he’s done a really great job for us.”
(On how close the offense is to becoming their best) “Yeah, I think that we’re close. There
are some things that we’ve needed to clean up the first three weeks that we haven’t yet. So,
I’d love to see us just clean up some of that stuff. Just the penalties, shooting ourselves in
the foot, all those things that should be easy to clean up, we’ve got to go and correct that
first and foremost. I think some of the stuff from last week, obviously didn’t have our best
week offensively. I think before that game, we did some things. We were explosive. We had
some good things going. I just think last week we obviously struggled a little bit. So, it’s just
about how we respond from that. You’re going to play really good defenses in this league.
You’re not always going to play your best as an offense, but it’s how do you respond and
find a way this week against another good opponent to go out there and play better
offensively and just be more consistent, better on third down, obviously the penalties,
throwing, catching, the passing game, we’ve got to clean up and we got to be sharper and
then make the corrections in the run game and move on. But I think that’s the key: just
getting better every week. It’s a new set of challenges, but I don’t really know timeline-wise
what that looks like. It’s just continuing to get better and to evolve and to sharpen our
offense.”
(On his progression in operating the offense) “Yeah, I feel really good operating it. I think
every week it’s growing a little bit more and more. I think I’m seeing it really clearly. I feel like
when I step on the field on Sundays, I have a really great grasp of what we’re doing, what
we’re trying to get done, what I’m looking for, all my keys that I’m locked into. I think I’m
seeing everything great. I think I’ve just got to eliminate some of the bad plays. Obviously,
I’ve had one or two a game that are hurting us as far as turnovers go, so I’ve got to find a way
to eliminate those and I think it’s just continuing just to play smart ball and obviously I’m
going to take the shots when they’re there, but not trying to force anything and just
continuing to trust the system and to progress. Just had a couple of those plays I definitely
want back, but as far as seeing it and operating, I feel good. Like I’ve said, we got to clean
up some of the operation stuff offensively, just some of the illegal shifts, motions and those
things but as far as what play we’re in, what we’re getting to, what I’m seeing, what I’m
checking to, I feel really sharp with that but I think there’s still a lot of growth for myself and
our whole offense just to continue to get better.”
(On what makes being patient against defenses like the 49ers tough as a quarterback) “I
think it’s just that they’re a pretty simple scheme. They’re not trying to really trick anyone,
but they’ve always had a good defense, and this scheme has always been really good and
tough to play against because they’re so consistent and they’re really disciplined. They play
most things top down, they fly around sideline to sideline, as far as just the D-line and the
linebackers. So, they make a lot of plays with that front group there. And then on the back
end, I think they’re really disciplined. They’re really smart, so it’s just that you will have
some opportunities down the field, but it’s really taking that profit every time and being able
to check the ball down. They’ve played really well with that scheme of just banking that
you’re not just going to take the small gains all the way down the field and put together a
nine, 10, 12-play drive and go score. They’re also really good at taking the ball away. So,
when you do put the ball in harm’s way, whether it’s a throw or just carrying the ball, they’re
really good at punching, causing fumbles, all those things. So, you can tell it’s a really well-
coached group. They fly around. So, they do a good job.”
(On whether the illegal shifts are caused by being a newer offense, having younger players
or a league emphasis) “That’s a good question. I think it’s all three of those. I think there’s
stuff that’s definitely being emphasized that even in my career, not even that long ago, that
wasn’t always called, but at the end of the day, it’s still a penalty. So, we have to be sharper
and making sure that they’re just really looking for that stuff more, and we know that, we’ve
known this since the offseason, and they give you a heads up on what they’re looking for.
And so, it’s no excuse. We’ve still got to be sharper, and then I think it’s also, like you said,
the new system. In the game, sometimes things get sped up. You might get behind the play
clock and you’re breaking the huddle quick and there’s a lot of tags in the formations and
we just have to know the plan to where there’s no hesitation, we know exactly where we’re
going and you don’t have to think about it because there’s a lot of little details in our game
plans that are important, but if you miss a word or if you miss something, you could end up
having two guys on the ball, two guys off the ball, whatever it is, which is going to get a flag.
So, and then a lot of motions that we’ve got to be on point with guys, getting set, and that
starts with me as a quarterback, making sure that everybody’s set before you send a
motion, guys having urgency getting set on the first motion, so we’re not having two guys
moving. There’s just a lot that goes into it that we can clean up, and it’s a lot of focus on our
end where we have to be sharper.”
(On whether it is harder to clean up those penalties when playing on the road and the
heightened importance of cleaning them up) “I mean, it’s important no matter where you’re
at. The penalties, they add up, and I think obviously it’s important on the road, just because
you can’t hear, the communication is a little bit different. So, I think it’s just even more
focus on the plan and knowing exactly what to do, just because there is a little bit less
verbal communication on the road because it gets loud. So really locked into all that stuff
and making sure that guys are set and ready to go and making sure we get out of the huddle
quick enough, too. When the noise gets on, you’ve got to get it up there with enough time to
operate and for guys to move around and adjust.”
(On if he has stayed in touch with 49ers QB Mac Jones) “I have, I was texting him obviously
when he started, I guess Week 2 it was. I texted him, just told him good luck and whatever.
So, I’ve talked to him a little bit, happy for how he’s been playing, and who knows, maybe
we’ll get another Mac sighting this week. I’m not sure with Brock’s [49ers QB Brock Purdy]
status and all that, but Mac’s a great guy and happy for him.”
(On 49ers QB Brock Purdy) “Yeah, I know Brock. I wouldn’t say we’re super tight, but fairly
well, just crossed paths a little bit. He’s been in Jacksonville some, and we’ve kept in touch,
and I have a lot of respect for just who he is as a person. I think he’s awesome, and he’s a
great player, too. He is a guy that just makes plays, he is really good, throws with
anticipation, can put the ball wherever he wants to, is really good at creating off-schedule. I
just really love the way he plays. I think he’s a playmaker and we’ll see if he’s back Sunday.”
(On the growth of OL Anton Harrison) “Yeah, he is been a guy that just has really
embraced—like you said, he was challenged from day one, with not only Liam [Head Coach
Liam Coen], just the whole staff and the system and we asked a lot of him and it was cool
to see him just respond throughout the offseason and to see the attitude he brought to
work every day and just that growth mindset of wanting to get better. He really pushed
himself and I think you’re seeing obviously his play speak for that and he played really well
his whole career and has a ton of talent and to see him really apply himself. He’s been
working his tail off really all offseason and all season. So, I’m proud of him and glad he is up
there blocking for me, that’s for sure.”
(On how fun it is to watch WR/DB Travis Hunter make plays and how to keep finding
opportunities with him) “Yeah, man, he’s just special with the ball in his hand, so finding
those opportunities, we’ve got to continue to do that because you’ve seen the plays that he
can make, and I missed him on one earlier in the game where I should have hit him going
across the field. So that was an opportunity, but just to keep finding ways to get him
involved. We have a lot of guys that are dynamic with the ball, but he’s for sure one of those,
and we’ve got to continue to find ways to do that because he’s a weapon with it.”
(On the challenges of communicating the offensive adjustments to Hunter) “Yeah, I try to
grab him as soon as I can, between series and all stuff, because if he’s going on defense,
obviously he’s not going to be over there, so just trying to grab him right off the field as soon
as I can. Game day’s a little bit tougher. Sometimes I’ve got to find him a little bit after the
fact, just because I know he is running around trying to make sure he is not going in on
defense. So, the communication’s been good, though. He’s been really receptive. He’s
been around, looking at pictures or whatever on the iPad, if I have to go grab him. He’s
always been there. We haven’t had a problem with that yet.”
(On how encouraged he has been with the start to the season) “Yeah, I mean, it’s where
we’re at in our season right now. We’re 2-1. It doesn’t really mean anything, to be honest.
I’m obviously not happy that we lost that second game of the year, but as far as the wins
we’ve been able to get and to be where we’re at, I think it’s a positive. But it’s just, we’re
three games in, we’ve got a long season ahead of us. So, I think the test for us is just a
consistency over a long period of time and to continue to bring that edge every week, I think
that’s something that has stood out to me just being on the team and I’m sure the outside
looking in is just the way that we play, the enthusiasm, flying around, the physicalness of
our whole team, physicality. I mean, it’s been fun to be a part of, and I think it’s definitely a
culture that’s building, and we’ve just got to continue to put the work in and earn it every
week.”
