HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2023
(On Frank Reich getting a second chance as head coach of the Carolina Panthers) “I’m just happy and
thrilled for Frank and his family. He means a lot to me, (he) obviously helped me win a championship in
Philadelphia. I knew it wouldn’t be long. He’s a great coach, he’s a great mentor, he’s a great teacher,
played this game for a long time, so just excited to get him out of our division and get him in Carolina.”
(On Frank Reich developing quarterbacks) “He played it. He understands the mentality. He understands
the mindset of the quarterback, and sometimes, that’s what it takes. He played this game. He played it
as a backup, just like I did for so many years. I think there’s a mentality there that you can really pass on
to quarterbacks, and he’s got a really good feel for that.”
(On momentum from one season to the next) “I think momentum can carry you, but every year is
different. All 32 teams are starting over. Everybody is 0-0. We’re trying to build the best roster just like
the 31 other teams right now. We can learn from what we did, especially the second half of the season. I
feel like we’ve got the right guys, the right makeup, the chemistry, the locker room is solid. Those are
the things you build on. That’s the momentum you’re talking about with those guys right there and guys
that have been in Jacksonville, and they’ve kind of gone through some tough times. Now this past year,
they got on the other side of that. That’s the challenge now of keeping that rolling as we head into ’23.”
(On new Jaguars Wide Receivers Coach Chad Hall) “Chad was kind of a free agent. I actually got a chance
to coach him when I was an assistant coach in Philadelphia. Again, he played the position, he knows it,
he’s got a great mindset, he’s energetic, he’s a great teacher. Those are all kind of the traits you look for
in assistant coaches, and he was the top guy on my list.”
(On if the expectation is that the Jaguars will be the team to beat in the AFC South with the core of the
team returning) “You definitely want them to think that way. I want them to feel that kind of pressure
where you have to perform week in and week out. This past year, we were just playing to win a game,
then ultimately, we found ourselves winning more games at the end of the season, putting ourselves in
a position to win the AFC South, but now those are the expectations that I as the head coach expect our
football team to have, and that will start April 17 when we start our offseason program.”
(On what Calvin Ridley can bring to the offense) “I don’t know. He hasn’t been cleared yet. I’m just
waiting for that day, anticipating the day that he is cleared by the NFL. We’re looking forward to that
day. I can only go off of what I’ve seen on film. He’s excitable. He’s a top receiver in this league when
he’s on his game. I’m excited when that day comes that we can embrace him onto our team, and he
gives us just another weapon, potentially, for Trevor (QB Trevor Lawrence).”
(On if there is any insight into when Ridley may be released) “We really don’t, no. We really don’t. It’s in
the league’s hands, but we’re just waiting for that day.”
(On Jim Schwartz being hired as defensive coordinator for the Browns) “Jim’s also been a head coach in
this league. He’s been a coordinator for so many years also in this league. He knows his players. He
builds relationships with his players. He gets the most out of his players. He’s another one that’s a really
good teacher. He understands the game, and he’s going to be a really good fit there with coach Stefanski
(Cleveland Head Coach Kevin Stefanski) and everything they’re doing in Cleveland.”
(On the next step for QB Trevor Lawrence) “I think the next step for Trevor is just another step in the
leadership role. Last year was probably about learning a new offense, learning to play this game,
learning a bunch of different aspects to play quarterback in the National Football League, and we just
build on that. That’s the next step. That’s the challenge for him. As great as he was, and as good as he
was at the end of the year, he can be better. That’s the challenge that we’ll have for him when he gets
back in in April. I know that will be the challenge that he will put on himself to play and be a better
version of himself moving forward.”
(On what may make him want to move up or down in picks in the draft) “The draft is a funny thing.
We’re fortunate to be down at 24 this year, and you just play the waiting game. Obviously, if there’s a
player ahead of us that you may want to grab, you try to make a move to grab that player, but a lot of
times, when you’re in the bottom third of the draft, you just wait and sit. Maybe there’s teams that
want to come up, and maybe you can gain more capital, draft capital, as you sit there at 24. A lot of
options, and hopefully the player that we target is sitting at 24, and we take him.”
(On having had the staff together with a year under their belt) “It’s great to have the full staff. It’s great
to have a full year under our belt. This offseason has been a lot different, been different for me from
that standpoint. Now we can just kind of focus on the free agency that’s coming up. We can focus on the
draft coming up and spend our time going back and watching our season, our scheme eval process, and
try to make things better. That’s the fun part now about what we do—helping our team get better for
this year.”
(On importance of maintaining continuity on the team) “I think it’s everything. You try to keep your core
together. You try to sign as many of your free agent players as you can. This business, you know you’re
going to lose some. We try to sign them all if you can. We’ve got some talented guys that we’d like to
have back, but we’ll wait and see, see how the process plays itself out. I think the difference for us is
these are really good players we’d like to have back, then you build through this process. You build
through the draft and just add depth and talent that way.”
(On if multisport athletes make better football players) “I was a basketball and baseball guy, so maybe,
but I wasn’t drafted. I think that playing multiple sports can help. You’ve got a background in different
aspects, different sports, different teammates, different rules, all kinds of things, but at the end of the
day, when they get here, they’re football players, and we’ve got to coach them as football players. And
they’ve got to be able to come in and help us win.”
(On balancing play calling and being the head coach) “This time of year, you’re not calling plays. You’re
helping build your roster. You’re helping Trent Baalke (General Manager) and his team better the roster,
but as you get into the regular season, there’s a balance. There’s a fine line there. You’ve got to make
sure that you’re studying and preparing yourself to call a game, and at the same time, you’re also
managing the roster and who’s going to be up on Sunday and who’s not and things like that. That’s why
you compartmentalize things a lot. Having done it now for six years, I don’t want to say it gets easier,
but the whole process gets a little simpler for you.”
(On discussions about quarterback sneaks and players pushing the quarterback forward to get a first
down) “I guess until they change the rule it’s going to be part of our game. Obviously, it will be a topic at
the league meetings coming up at the end of March. The Competition Committee, I’m sure, is looking at
a lot of data and different things right now. Trevor’s length helps. You alluded to that earlier. He was
able to dive over the pile for a couple touchdowns this year for us, and also some valuable third-and-
one, fourth-and-one situations. We have to get better as a football team. It’s a valuable part of anyone’s
offense. You saw what Philly did and has done with their offensive line and Jalen Hurts (QB). That’s a
great example of using the tools and resources that you have to execute that play.”
(On traits that he looks for in backup quarterbacks) “Number one, they’ve got to be able to—it’s an
unselfish role. You’ve got to take a backseat. Normally, it’s hard for a quarterback, especially a backup
quarterback, because you want to play. I think about our guy C.J. Beathard. I think about even Nick Foles
in Philly and myself. Frank Reich (Panthers Head Coach Frank Reich), we talked about, the thing is, you
want them to push the starter but don’t threaten the starter. That’s why it was great to get C.J. signed
for a couple years. He’s the perfect guy for Trevor (QB Trevor Lawrence) because he’s a veteran guy.
He’s played, he’s started games in this league, he knows our offense, and he can really be another set of
eyes for Trevor, and that’s what a backup does. You push them from the standpoint of making Trevor
better, but at the same time, you’re never threatening that position. C.J. is the perfect—I know he wants
to play, and he had an opportunity maybe last year, potentially, with Trevor’s injury and all that. To me,
that’s what makes a solid backup.”
(On what stands out to him about this year’s draft class) “Every draft class every year is different. For us
as coaches, this is the first time, too, that we get the chance to see these guys because we just finished
our season about a month ago, so we’re getting our first look at a lot of these guys. There’s some talent
in this year’s class. That’s the whole process, it’s coaching and scouting coming together and really
having some great conversations. You’ve got to watch the film, got to watch the tape and make great
evaluations and prepare yourself for the upcoming draft.”
(On RB Travis Etienne Jr. last year and looking ahead to this season) “I think the biggest thing for me was
I loved his toughness, his physicality. He’s not a big guy, but he’s very physical when he runs. He can be
elusive. He’s got good speed, and he’s just going to get better as a runner. When he gets a chance to go
back and watch what he did last year in our system, there’s going to be times where he’s going to go,
‘Agh, I should’ve hit it here.’ That’s the growth mentality that he’ll have. Just excited for him, get him
back in our system again, second year, to watch the growth in him and really how he bounced back from
that injury in year one in the foot to really be a really good impact player for us on offense.”
(On working with Jim Bob Cooter last season) “Jim Bob was a great asset for myself, for Press Taylor, my
offensive coordinator. A lot of wisdom and insight to the game. He studies the game, very diligent. He’s
obviously been a coordinator before where he’s called plays. I just didn’t want him to go into the
division (joking), but I’m happy for him, great opportunity to be a coordinator again, and he’ll see
success except twice a year (joking). When he was in Detroit with Matthew Stafford (QB) and places he’s
been. He was a year in Philly, and he saw Jalen Hurts (QB) in that there, and Trevor (QB Trevor
Lawrence) here, so he understands that position. He’ll be a big influence I think in their process this year
in Indy. Happy for him. I hated to see him go, obviously, but I’m excited for him.”
(On bringing Wide Receivers Coach Chad Hall to the coaching staff) “It’s funny because I coached Chad. I
was an assistant coach under Coach Reid in Philly when Chad came through. I just love his work ethic,
the fact that he’s played the game, tough kid, great teacher, great motivator, a lot of energy, those are
all things that you love to see out of that receiver room. He’s coached some really good (receivers),
Stefon Diggs (WR), some great players, obviously, so we’re excited. When he became available, he was
definitely the guy I wanted to get.”
(On how to bring the offense to the next level this year) “There were a lot of things that clicked. It
wasn’t easy. Early in the season, we kind of struggled, we had some miscues in the red zone. Trevor (QB
Trevor Lawrence) wasn’t as polished as he was in the back half of the season, but that’s one of the
things as coaches, we have to take the good, and we’ve got to build on that. That’s what we’re doing
now in the offseason as a staff is looking at all our positive plays and things we did well, whether it’s run
or pass, and then making them better for ’23. Then again, we get to implement that stuff in the
offseason program coming in mid-April, then ultimately in training camp. So many times and so many
years there’s a lot of one-hit plays, plays you think are going to work, you just push them aside and you
just focus on who you are as a team as you watch Trevor’s (QB Trevor Lawrence) plays and see what he
did well and build on that for this year.”
(On what he emphasizes to players like OLB Travon Walker and LB Devin Lloyd to make a second-year
leap) “I think the biggest thing for both of those players, Chad (LB Chad Muma) Luke (C Luke Fortner),
you throw those guys in the mix, is the fact that they’re finally going to have an offseason to themselves.
They can rest, they can heal, they can begin to go back and watch their performances within the
defense. I think all three of those guys, all four of those guys, put Luke in there, too, they’re going to be
so much better this year from the standpoint of knowing, understanding the game, how it has to be
played, how it has to be practiced during the week, how to be a pro, how to study, how to take care of
your body. I think those are all aspects of becoming a professional football player, and so all of those
guys, that’s what they’re going to take away, and that’s what they can lean on moving on to ’23.”
(On how important it is to have a wide receiver like Calvin Ridley in the offense while potentially losing
WR Marvin Jones Jr. in free agency) “When it comes to Calvin, (WR Calvin Ridley) he’s not with us yet.
We’re still waiting the ruling. We’re anticipating that obviously. If and when that comes, obviously we’ll
be excited. Marvin helped us win a lot of games this year. He was kind of Trevor’s go-to guy in certain
situations. You saw him make the great catch in the Baltimore game for the touchdown there and really
throughout the course of the season. Really unselfish player. We’ll just have to see, again, would love to
have all our players back, just see where it’s going to play out. Again, you can’t sign them all, you want
them all, but you can’t. It’s part of this business. Whatever happens, I know Marvin is going to be,
whether he’s with us or somebody else, he’s going to give 110% wherever he’s at.”
(On if he is looking to add more running backs to the rotation) “I think in today’s game you’ve got to
have two to three guys. They’ve got to be able to carry the load. You’re talking about a 18-week, 17-
game schedule and the postseason. It’s wear and tear on guys. We haven’t seen enough of Snoop
Conner (RB) yet either, but we like him. We know what JaMycal (RB JaMycal Hasty) can do. We
obviously know what TJ, Etienne (RB Travis Etienne Jr.) can do. You’re always looking to have two, three,
four guys that can work the rotation at any given time. The last thing I’ll say is I like him to play special
teams as well, so that’s a big part of the, I think the impact of a running back is being able to play special
teams.
GENERAL MANAGER TRENT BAALKE
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2023
(On the offseason transition from attacking free agency to the draft) “You answered the question. The
last two years, we’ve delved heavily into free agency, and we’re at the point now where it’s draft and
develop. We’ve got a nice core, a nice core of young players. I feel really good about that group, with a
good mix of veteran guys with a lot of experience. The whole thing for us now is about the locker room,
making sure we keep the locker room where we’ve got it.”
(On costs and benefits of pushing money into the future) “The benefits are you get a chance to keep a
lot of good football players. At some point, most teams in the league have had to do that. If you look, I
think there’s only one team that hasn’t pushed any money out into future years. You’ve just got to be
very diligent in the decisions that you make and who you make those decisions for.”
(On if a prospect has a public intoxication charge) “I think anytime that there’s a situation that the law
has been involved with, you look into it, you get as much information as you can. It’s hard to say that it’s
going to affect everyone the exact same way. A lot of it has to do with history, what they’ve been
through throughout their careers, their lifetimes, so a lot goes into it more that just one bad decision by
a prospect.”
(On the importance of resigning QB C.J. Beathard and RB JaMycal Hasty) “Again, we’re trying to keep the
core together, and the core is not just frontline players. It’s guys at every level of the 53. Every guy on
that team, when you’re talking about 53 players, every one of those players is important. C.J. and
JaMycal are two guys that are key guys in that locker room. They’re key contributors not only on the
field but in the community, within the leadership of the team, so there’s a lot of things that go into that,
but we’re glad that they’re aboard for another two years, we’ve got a lot more work to do, as you
know.”
(On how different the process is this year having the 24th pick as opposed to first pick last year) “If we
had the first pick three years in a row, it’d be someone else standing here. There’s a transition.
Obviously, picking one, there’s an advantage to picking one. There’s obviously, as we know, a
disadvantage to picking one. Now we’re sitting at 24. We’ve got to stack the board appropriately and
look at what’s available. The decisions don’t get any different; you’re just picking a little later in the
draft.”
(On if there are any position groups in this draft that stand out from others) “You’ve known me a couple
years, I’m not going to talk about the depth of the draft at any one position. It’s not an advantage to us,
but every year there’s strengths and weaknesses in the draft, positions that maybe have more depth,
but the key, again, is taking a look at what our needs are but also factoring in the best available as we
stack the board. We want to stack the board true to the value of the player. Then we’ll make the
decisions once we get the board stacked.”
(On balancing players that the team really wants back but will also be very expensive) “There’s a win-win
in every deal. You’ve just got to find that. We’ve got an organization that players now want to play for,
and when you’re in that situation, it’s a great community. I think the players got a real taste of what that
community can offer. If you look at the last two games of the year, how electric that stadium was and
filled with Jaguar fans. Normally, in the past, at least since I’ve been there, when we did have a full
crowd, it probably leaned itself toward the opponent. The last couple games of the year, it wasn’t that
way. I think they players seeing that, getting a feel for that, us within the organization who haven’t been
a part of it that long, seeing that was inspiring, and it’s our job to put a product out there that the fans
want to come and see, and that’s where we’re at right now in the buildup of the 2023 roster.”
(On what may make him want to move up or down picks in the draft) “You’ve just got to assess the
board and kind of where you’re at. You’ve got 23 picks that are going to come off the board, and you
start getting the feel for where you’re going to be around pick 18, 19, and who might be available and
how many guys you’ve got at that point. I don’t know that we’re going to be big movers and try to trade
way up in the draft. Will we move a little bit? We could, but it really depends on how the board gets
stacked. Right now, it’s way too early to tell what we’re going to do exactly in terms of move up, move
back.”
(On the impact of players like OL Walker Little on conversations with OL Jawaan Taylor) “You never
know what you’ve got until you get them on the field. Walk got a great chance to go out there and show
his value as a player. It’s a balancing act. You’ve got good players. You’ve got a good young player in
Jawaan (OL Jawaan Taylor) who played at a high level. You’ve got a good young player in Walk that
played at a high level when he got an opportunity, so we’re just going to, again, to assess the roster, talk
to the coaches, which we have a lot of collaboration back and forth and just try to make the best
decision for us, but bringing Jawaan back is something that we would like to do.”
(On if TE Evan Engram is a franchise tag player if a deal can’t be reached) “He could be.”
(On if OL Jawaan Taylor is a franchise tag player if a deal can’t be reached) “He could be.”
(On how confident he is that the team and TE Evan Engram can come to an agreement) “Again, I think
with Jawaan and Evan, I don’t want to speak for them, they know how we feel about them, and I think
we know how they feel about us, and there’s a win-win in there somewhere. We’ve just got to get to
that. Negotiations are ongoing, and they’re something that, they’re not going to get finished today, but
we’ve got a nice window here before free agency starts, and our goal is to try to close those deals within
that window.”
(On if the team was able to create some cap space with DL Roy-Robertson Harris’s extension) “We
were.”
