JAGUARS INTERIM HEAD COACH DARRELL BEVELL
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022
(On Jaguars fans planning to show their frustration with the franchise at the game on Sunday) “I mean I don’t know what they’re talking about very much, but I do understand the frustration that they have. There’s a level of frustration here within the building. The players are frustrated, we’re frustrated with what’s going on, and we want it to be better as well.”
(On getting the team motivated for the last game of the season) “Here’s what I talked to them about today, I talked to them about there’s still five days left in this season. It’s our job to go out there and put five great days together. We’re playing a divisional opponent [the Indianapolis Colts] that has a shot to make the playoffs and we want to do everything we can to keep the divisional opponent from doing that. They’re also playing for the name on their back. Like I’ve told you guys many times, everything that we do is being evaluated, so I think there’s plenty to play for. I think these guys are motivated. I do know that these guys care. I’m around them every day and this is an important thing to them, so I think they’ll be ready to go.”
(On speaking with the leaders of the team prior to this weekend’s game) “No, I haven’t spoken to the leadership group or anything. But just to me and talking to the guys individually, I know that the game’s important to them. There would be nothing better than to have a good taste in our mouth, to be able to go out the season with a win.”
(On the lack of scoring throughout the season) “Definitely it’s fixable. There’s a number of things that didn’t go well for us this year and I think the number one thing to point to is turnovers. Right now, I think we’re -22 in the turnover margin. You cannot do that and win games, so that’s the first thing. Then to be just blunt, we haven’t executed well enough. We’ve had opportunities and it’s been different things whether it’s dropped balls. There’re just different things in terms of our execution that we haven’t done well enough. Then of course, if you add playmakers, then that helps you. We lost DJ [Chark Jr.]. We lost [Jamal] Agnew. We lost [Travis] Etienne [Jr.] before the season started. We lost Dan Arnold. Not making excuses there, [I’m] just pointing out like those were guys that can make plays, a lot of those guys have elite speed, which also adds to your offense.”
(On the offensive philosophy playing the Colts for the second time this season) “We changed play callers, number one, from the last time we played them, so there will be a different flavor for them. I’m sure they’re looking at it a little bit different. But again, the point is always to try execute at a high level and it’s to get the ball to the guys that can put the points on the board and try to create space, get our guys out there, and help them get in the end zone.”
(On the positives of the defense and Defensive Coordinator Joe Cullen this season) “There was a good run in there where we were doing a nice job of stopping the run. I think one of those games included the Colts game. [They] did a nice job against obviously a really good offense. [Defensive Coordinator] Joe
[Cullen]’s done a really nice job for us. He’s a good leader. He’s very vocal. He’s demanding on the guys and there was a time where we were trending in a good direction. Last week is a hard evaluation with all the things that were going on. But again, we’ll try to put a great game plan together this week.”
(On the potential for the defense to improve with the young talent the team has and the talent they can get in the offseason) “Without a doubt. Each time we get a chance to add to your team, I think it’s really important, whether it’s through free agency, whether it’s through the draft, to be able to add talented players. It’s, number one, you have to know your team and what will enhance your team at specific positions, and then be able to make good decisions to enhance those spots, whether that be offense or defense.”
(On the conversations between QB Trevor Lawrence and the coaching staff following last weekend’s game at the Patriots) “I don’t think that’s anything that’s new. He does a great job [with communication]. Between myself, [Passing Game Coordinator Brian Schottenheimer] Schotty, and Trevor [Lawrence], I think the communication’s always been really good. It’s always been open. After the game, there’s a lot of things that have gone on, transpired, and there is a level of frustration with some of the things. Everybody’s asking about it, the lack of scoring points, the lack of making plays, and everybody in those moments, they’re searching for answers. We’re all trying to come up with the best answers that we can.”
(On the possibility of having more players available coming off the COVID list and how that affects preparation) “We’re hoping to be almost full. I don’t know if we’ll get all the guys back. There’re still a few guys that have some decent symptoms, but every guy we can get back will only help us. We’re excited for the guys that were able to come back today. I know there’s other guys that have a chance to get back with us to help us. You just have to let the week play out and see where it goes.”
(On the possibility of having the lowest scoring offense in franchise history if the team doesn’t score more than 16 points against the Colts this weekend) “That’s not something that we want to be a part of and it’s something that’s very frustrating for myself, all the offensive coaches, all the offensive players. We expect more. We expected more as we went into the season and we’re not happy with anywhere that we are right now. We know that we have more in us. We’ve seen the glimpses of where we did play well, we just didn’t do it enough.”
(On the chances of TE Dan Arnold and TE James O’Shaughnessy being able to play this weekend) “[There’s a] chance, but I don’t know how good of a chance. [There’s] more of a chance, but we’ll still let the week go and see where it finishes.”
JAGUARS QB TREVOR LAWRENCE
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022
(On his mindset after the loss at Patriots) “Every loss is definitely disappointing. Like I said, I don’t even remember exactly what I said after the game, but when the deficit’s that large and you lose by that many points, obviously that’s a bad feeling. You don’t want to feel that way. [We] had a couple games like that this year and it’s not a good feeling that plane ride back so [I’m] just looking forward. Like I said, you have to have short memory in this league just as an individual and as a team. You have to be able to move on and flip the page pretty quickly and I think we did that today. We had a great day. Just being able to flip the page and just get ready to go play the Colts, finish the season on a win, that’d be great, like I said, to get some momentum and [we] just want to play well. That’s the biggest thing. The closest way you can directly control the outcome of the game if for everyone to do their job and to play well and then you’ll have a shot to win the game in the end. That’s just kind of the focus this week. Everybody just lock in for what is it, five more days? Five more days of just 100 percent focus and then you have a whole offseason to take some time off and get ready for next year. Let’s finish strong and feel good about where we’re at.”
(On having conversations with anyone from the Jaguar’s front office this week) “I haven’t.”
(On the possibility of having the lowest scoring offense in franchise history if the team doesn’t score more than 16 points against the Colts this weekend) “It’s frustrating. Obviously, like I’ve said, we’ve had a lot of ups and downs as an offense this year just being transparent with you guys. You can see it on the field. There’s been a lot of ups and downs and some things that worked for us, some things haven’t and just trying to find our way. It’s been frustrating obviously because the best teams in this league usually score a lot of points, so that’s something we’ve been trying to improve on. Right now, like I said, our focus is just going and winning this game, and to win this game, I do think we’re going to have to probably score more than 16 points, most games you do. That’s only two touchdowns and not even a field goal. We’re going to have to put some points on the board and just help our defense out. That’s been, I guess, the more frustrating thing is that we haven’t held up our end of playing complimentary football. That’s taking care of the ball, that’s scoring when you’re on offense, that’s playing great defense, all that. I feel like a lot of games, we haven’t held up our end of that deal. That falls, obviously, on my shoulders as the quarterback and a lot of that has to do with me. So, it starts with me and looking myself in the mirror. Just every week, like I said, you have to forget about the last week, and you have to still play with that confidence the next week. I’ve learned how to do that over this whole year which hasn’t been easy. [I’m] just trying to stay positive and go into this game with a lot of confidence.”
(On Jaguars fans planning on wearing clown outfits to the game to show their frustration with the team) “I guess you can look at it both ways. I guess I’ll start by saying I understand how the fans that have been Jacksonville fans for a long time [feel]. I’m sure that hasn’t been easy. [There’s] a lot of die-hard fans that this is I wouldn’t say everything for them, but this is something that’s very important to them is the Jags and they’ve been a fan since the Jags started. You see that passion and you definitely respect that.
As players, I know the feeling. We want to do everything we can to win for this city, for these fans and obviously we haven’t had much success this year. That’s frustrating for us as well, so I understand from a fan’s perspective. Would I do that personally? No, I wouldn’t do that. But fans feel how they feel and it’s hard. Like I said, this year’s been disappointing for all of us. We wanted to win a lot more games, so I get the frustration. But for us, we’re just focusing on going and finishing with a win this season.”
(On the Jaguars matching up well with the Colts in recent years) “I didn’t even think about the past history with the Colts. Obviously, like you said, I was a part of that game this season and had a chance to win it. That still bothers me, lost by six points, and had a couple chances to go win the game, so that’s one definitely we had a shot in. Confidence, I’d say you try to have that same level of confidence every week. Yeah, it helps that we’ve played these guys tough, and they’ve had a good year and they’ve had a lot of games decided, even their losses have been decided by just a few points, so they’re probably even better than what their record says. We have some confidence from that, but really offensively, we didn’t play well in the first half. We probably win that game if we played a little better on offense. I don’t remember what the stats were in the first half of that game, but it was a rough one. Then in the second half, we played cleaner and were able to consistently move the ball more and that kind of got us back in the game. Our defense played great though. So just carrying that over, defense do what you did last time. Offense, let’s step it up. Let’s put some points on the board and consistently move the ball more. I know this is a really good defense as far as takeaways and they have a knack for getting the ball out, whether that’s forcing fumbles or interceptions, so that’s a big emphasis for us this week.”
(On why the team tends to fall behind early in games) “I think each game it’s a little bit different. Offensively, we haven’t been great on the first drive of games. I know against the Jets last week I think we got a field goal the first drive, but outside of that, we’ve struggled a little bit on the first drive. That’s definitely part of it and if you pair that with other teams getting points on the first drive then that’s not where you want to be. It starts by just a game’s 60 minutes regardless of what happens in the beginning. Obviously, you want to start well, but it’s really more about playing the whole 60 minutes and finishing well, especially in the second half. I think that’s where, obviously, we have had some deficits early, but most times we’ve had an opportunity to get back in the game and haven’t always taken advantage of it. It’s really about playing a complete game.”
(On taking consolation in the fact that successful quarterbacks haven’t had great rookie years) “Like I’ve said before, everybody’s journey is different. Every team’s different. That’s why you see some things, you can’t really compare people’s situations. No situation is the same. But yeah, I would say it’s nice knowing you’re not the one that’s struggled a little bit. That’s something that I’ve built over the years, just confidence in myself, confidence in the future, regardless of what’s happening right now and like I’ve said, it’s been a tough year. Regardless of all that, I really do have a strong belief that we’re going to do some great things here and I’m going to be a part of that. That’s what I believe deep down, and I hang on to that. I know that’s coming, so just keeping my head down, working, not getting discouraged. Like I said, this year’s been challenging, but I think that’s one of the biggest areas I’ve grown is keeping that faith because it’s easier to keep the faith when things are going well. But when you’re not winning a lot of games and there’s a lot of drama, a lot of things going on, it’s a little bit harder. That’s been something that I’ve actually grown a lot in this year.”
(On helping his teammates keep a positive attitude throughout the season) “Like I said, it’s tough and those conversations happen all the time just really guys talking and really just bringing some energy. A lot of guys, even outside of me, have done a good job of that, trying to keep people locked in. The guys have done a good job of that. Like I said, it’s all about right now. Our message is just finish strong. We
have five days, so let’s finish this thing the way we want to so we can feel good about it going into this offseason.”
(On this season preparing him for the future with all the adversity him and the team have faced) “I don’t want to say anything, you never know what’s around the corner, but I really do feel like I’ve been through more than a lot of people can say they’ve been through in their first season. I got some, what’s it called? I can’t even think of the saying they say. [Battle scars], yeah, I guess that’s a good one. That’s not what I was thinking but that works too. It does give you confidence in whatever comes at me, I know I can handle it. Obviously, you don’t want to go through what we’ve gone through again this year. I have confidence we won’t but that gives you a little bit of just whatever’s around the corner, it doesn’t matter. I’m just going to keep being me every day and just keep being that same person. That’s, I think, the biggest thing I’ve said before to you guys is being consistent. I know there’s some really good days ahead. I’m excited just to experience that with obviously whoever is a part of those teams in the future and just this city and these fans. I know this place deserves it, so I’m excited for that. I know it’s going to come.”
JAGUARS DE/OLB JOSH ALLEN
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022
(On what positives the defense can take away from this season and if there’s enough young talent on the team to turn it around next season) “Oh most definitely. I feel like the best thing we can take away as a group is we’re considered a young team, we gained experience, we’re gaining more experience. The more experience I feel like each of these guys plays, especially on our back end, the majority is first- or second-year players, Tre [Herndon]. It’s just giving experience. I mean, just being in those situations at those moments and just gaining confidence. I feel like we gained that this year and that’s probably the most I can take away.”
(On the defense playing well but lacking consistency between games) “I mean, I feel like we did have a lot of great moments as a defense. I wish we had more momentum instead of moments, in a way. Out of all those moments, I wish we would’ve gained momentum and just played with that momentum. I feel like we just never could catch the momentum. But we had a lot of moments to where we made big plays and we had stops. We were living in that moment. But hopefully we can gain the trust and stability of just staying with it every play and every situation. We can definitely grow from there, though.”
(On the frustration of ending the season with uncertainties with the coaching staff) “I mean, I just want to get to a point to where we can just focus on football. That’s the only goal we can really control. Every man coming in here, we worry about one thing and the goal is to win a Super Bowl. That’s the goal that I have and that I want as a team. I feel like that’s what we need. We need the consistency and we need the focus on one thing. We don’t need to be focused everywhere else, about coaches, players, [but] focus on winning. If everybody comes in here to do their jobs and focus on that one thing, I feel like we can have that team. When we were focused and we were all locked in, we showed really great results. But then when we’re dealing with so much other stuff that a lot of guys – or coaches or whatever – can’t really hone in, because we’re focused on so much other stuff. So, just to get back to a consistent—just football and once we have that in the organization, once we feel like we have that, once we know that we have that, I feel like guys are going to grow and get better from there.”
(On whether that goal seems far away) “I mean, who knows? I’m ready. I’m going to finish this game. We’re going to play as hard as we can, I know that. We’re going to try to do as much as we can for them not to get in the playoffs. I know, as much as a lot rides [for them], we want to get this win. They for sure know what’s at stake in this game, so we know what type of game we’re going to get from those guys, and I feel like we’re ready for that challenge. We just have to be prepared and be ready to play for everything. They’re going to leave everything out there, so if we don’t come out there with that mindset, it can get bad. But I feel like we know the team, we compete with this team every time and we’re ready.”
(On why the defense is looking forward to playing the Colts) “Because we know what game we’re going to get. We know what type of offense they are and they’re consistent with that. They have a great
offensive line, they have the best running back in the National Football League and they’re good at what they do. We know that and once we get our minds locked in on what we need to do to stop it and then we know what’s coming, now we can just react and go play ball and just worry about yourself. So, it’s the same game, not the same game plan, but it’s the same mindset that we’re taking that week to this week. We’re not afraid of them, I know a lot of teams played against them and they could be a tough team to play against, but I feel like with us, we’re ready. Especially for this matchup and this divisional game. It’s a lot at stake right here, so we’re ready and we’re excited. I know Joe [Cullen], if you talk to Joe, I know he’s ready for this game.”
(On how preparation for last week’s game differs from preparation for this week’s game) “I mean, I wasn’t even in the building until Friday, so I couldn’t even tell you how last week’s preparation went. But just watching the film, I can see there’s a huge difference. The only difference now is really the meetings, we’re meeting indoors. So, that’s really the only different takeaways that I can really see.”
(On the difference in intensity knowing the Colts could be headed to the playoffs) “I mean, we better match that [intensity]. We better know what type of game it’s going to be. I know what type of game it’s going to be. I know they’re going to come in here and try to win this game because they have to, they have a lot at stake. But I’m not really worried about that. I’m worried about myself, how I’m going to play, how I’m going to prepare myself for this game and go out there and be the best Josh Allen I can be. Once I do that and I feel like I have that mentality, then everything is going to play out well and that goes around for the whole defense. We’ve got to match that, and they’ve got to match us.”
(On whether he and the team feel that they’ve got something to play for on Sunday) “Yes sir. I mean, pride, I’ve still got my pride. I play every week, I buckle up, I put my pride, I put my family name, I put this organization, I’m putting everything on the line. So, I don’t go out here and lose, that’s not my mentality, that’s not our mentality to go out here and lose. That’s not what we think. We go out here and we prep every week to win a game. Things might not work out the way [we want them to], but we go out here and prep, we go out here and play, to win every rep. Things might not work out. They have good players, we have good players. They scheme, we scheme. But mentality wise, we’re going out here to play, we’re going out here to win and we’re going out here to dominate. We’ve got to check everybody’s self before we get in there, so we can be ready to go.”
JAGUARS WIDE RECEIVER LAQUON TREADWELL
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022
(On what he is trying to prove) “I have a lot to prove to myself and this team. They are giving me an opportunity and I want to make the most of it. I don’t want to leave no stone unturned while I’m here with the people that I am around and the relationships that I have built. Even the people that I met this year. I live day to day and I live in the moment and we are losing but I just look at it as maybe I can spark a change in something, I don’t know. I just always try to put my best foot forward and make sure I’m doing my utmost best when they turn on the film and they watch me play. That is my mind.”
(On how his journey can be an example to younger guys) “That’s what this league is built around. It’s built around the losing seasons and coming back winning season, winning season, maybe miss the playoffs one year. I think my journey and Trevor’s journey have similarities. I am not saying Trevor [Lawrence] is going to have a career that ends up like mine, but he came in as highly touted guy and it’s been hard for him. He is used to winning and he wants to win. He is putting in the hours and I see him every day. He is the last guy here, first guy here and he is out there throwing with the receivers. He is out there doing everything he possibly can and still not getting the results and for me I’ve been in that position where I’ve worked my butt off and put in the hours and hours of work to get the results I want on the field and they still didn’t align. With my journey, it allows me to have a certain perspective on practices every day and appreciating them and keeping the right perspective on the game. Bad plays happen but we have to stay in it and show these other guys that regardless of what the score is there is still good things you can put on film and there is still good things you can do to help you and help this team be better for the next year.”
(On what this last game in Jacksonville means to him) “It’s another game to go out and win and play my best. Every opportunity I’m going to go out and do my best and I know my best is good enough now with me playing and me actually going out there getting the reps and getting opportunities to play. I know my best is good enough to play at a high-level in this league and I’m standing on that and I believe that. There is not too much anyone can say about me that is going to bother me anymore and I still see the comments and still see the articles. I just go out and give my best every day.”
(On how far he has come this season) “I came a long way. I can only judge myself when I’ve actually been playing. I was talking to other receivers on the team and I was like ‘Everyone gets graded in practice and gets coached in practice but you won’t know how good you are until you actually go into the game.’ I try to say that to the younger guys because it’s hard when you’re working and going to practice everyday and everyday is something else new to work on but you don’t get that game rep to actually know what exactly will make the difference in that route in the game or that play in the game. Based off from the game, I just think I got more comfortable and I’m getting more comfortable just playing in games and playing in games with the ball coming to me and having guys leaning on me and grabbing on me and making the play. That only gets better for me and my play the more comfortable I
get. This game is just another opportunity to go out and give my best effort and best performance for the guys next to me and the guys in the huddle and the guys in the defensive huddle.”
(On telling young guys it’s not like this every year and it can be better) “Oh yeah, I definitely try to stress that to guys. I’ve been on playoff teams in Minnesota and I’ve been on one of the lower ends in Atlanta so I just try to keep guys in the perspective of trying to squeeze every good thing that you can out of this
year. I don’t care if it’s from a coach or your teammates like just squeeze everything you can because moving into your next year you’re going to think that things are going to be different but you as a player and a person are still going to have to face these challenges that you didn’t want to pay attention to because it was a losing year. You may have a hard time communicating with your coach on certain things and as a player you want to get that burier so you can get to that next level of coaching to be coached different and get that next level of performance. That’s one thing I’ve grown with this year and no regardless of what happened I just kept grabbing for my coaches and asking ‘What else can I do? Why was my grade this way?’ What can I do in this situation and in game reps it allowed me to go into that next week with a better relationship with my coach and the quarterback and moving forward. I always tell the young guys to try to squeeze all the good out of this. Take the lessons from the losses and the bad and go into your offseason with the approach of I’ll be better at this coming into next year and still have that same open ear to just learn and get back to work. That’s all you can do in this league.”
(On stability in the franchise helping with player success) “Absolutely, I can speak on that because in Minnesota I think I had five different offensive coordinators because you’re not able to actually know what type of scheme you’re going to be in and then you’re waiting for OTA’s and have about a month to kind of learn as much as you can about the scheme. Guys who know their quarterback and guys who know their offensive scheme they can get with their quarterback in the offseason. They can be away from the facility and work on timing and different looks they got in the game which when you get to practice it looks effortless and it looks like they’re on the same page. It looks like they went out and did what they needed to do to be better for next year. Stability plays a huge role in all aspects of life but in football on the field you want to be comfortable with the people you’re working with. You want to know what’s coming next, you want to know what type of scheme you’re going to be in. That’s going to play a huge role in anyone’s career.”
(On why the Colts is a team they really want to beat) “Because they’re the next game and like you said it’s a rival. I mean there are a lot of outside factors that can play into it but for me my own personal perspective on it is that they are another team on the schedule and we need to win and it’s about time we win. I have that same mindset with any team we play and just to know their playoff chances and it’s our last game and we have a chance to knock them out of the playoffs. You can add all those variables into it but at the end of the day this league is based on wins and losses and we don’t have enough and if we finish with three then that’s better than two. I always look at it like it’s the next game up and there are so many outside variables that can play into it but you should be preparing like that every week regardless of who you’re playing or what they have at stake. It should us or them type of mindset for whoever you’re playing so I try not to let all the outside variables like oh we can knock them out of the playoffs and all these different things for motivation because I have all the motivation to just go help win the game it’s really that simple. I’ve put all my eggs in the basket to go out there Sunday and make sure that I am doing as much as I can to help us win. If I fall short, then I try to get back to the drawing board and get coached up and try to come out and do the same thing. I think every guy does the same thing but the outside is going to add a little fuel to it but we all come in looking to come in and win the next game every week.”
(On what he appreciates about the coaching staff) “I can’t speak for every coach, but I know the coaches that have coached me, they have done a great job of being patient and transparent. Definitely teaching me the right techniques and things that I can take into the game that help my game and understanding everything about football. Everything about football is simple when it comes to the things I like. They help me, it translates to the game, they are transparent and as a player that’s all you can want. Transparency is going to translate into the game and it’s going to allow you to go play and play free. Being in my corner everyday from the time I was cut and pretty even when I was cut they were still in my corner saying they wanted me on the team and they wanted me to continue to progress and I look up and now I’m making plays on Sunday. I am very appreciative of this staff.”
