HEAD COACH LIAM COEN
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2025
(On how he envisions the offseason program progressing) “Yeah, I think right now were
trying to establish, really, two things: the fundamentals and techniques of the schemes,
right? We’re not truly diving into the scheme at the moment. Fundamentals and technique,
and then as well, our culture. The way that we’re going to play the game, our style of play,
those are the two things that we’d like to like to get out of this, especially in Phase I, where
you’re not on the grass with the players. We’re really installing our basic, core
fundamentals and principles and techniques, and then also the culture, our style of play
and our commitments as well.”
(On if the team will exercise LB Devin Lloyd’s fifth-year option) “No plans right now in terms
of we’re having those conversations, getting used to the player, right? We’ve just got to get
used to him a little bit and get to know him a little bit. We’re excited about him, a guy that
we see we can do some things with. Like, we do feel excited about some of his versatility
and experience, so some of those conversations will be open and honest, and
communicated.”
(On how to instill the message of toughness to the team) “We actually had that
conversation today with the players, was I know that this is not a ‘physical’ time. It can’t be,
and it isn’t. But the establishing of the mindset, the way that we’re going to do things, the
way that we want the meetings, like, Coach Camp [Defensive Coordinator Anthony
Campanile] brought up today that our meetings should be tough. We’re learning new
information. It’s all very new for everybody. That’s hard. That’s hard to do for a coach, for a
player. It’s hard to learn, so when you do hard things and you come out on the other end,
you usually say, ‘Well, I got tougher from that.’ So, we do believe that we can start to
establish that. That was similar in Tampa last year when we got to the offseason program
and got into it. You could start to see the toughness come out, and the way that we broke
the huddle, the way that we communicated, the way that we actually ran off the ball, you
could see some of that stuff come to life.”
(On the decision to not have Top-30 visits) “Yeah, I mean, I can let James [General Manager
James Gladstone] detail that a little bit more. It’s more so just, hey, we’re trying to keep
everything that we’re doing in-house, and trusting that we’ll do some things possibly
virtually and that with guys that we need to have another touchpoint with. But ultimately,
it’s not something that we’re going to be interested in doing at the moment.”
(On the Draft process as a head coach) “Yeah, I mean, special teams matter. [Laughter]. I
mean, you have to look at the whole, right? It’s starting anew for me in a lot of ways, right,
where you’ve been used to evaluating offensive players, and then naturally when you’re
evaluating offensive players, defensive players shine, right? You start to see that, and then
in recruiting, in college you’re recruiting defensive players as well. But the whole entirety,
how they fit into the puzzle, the vision, what we’re trying to establish, and how those
players end up fitting into those situations, it’s different. It’s just a different perspective. It’s
great to listen to the collaboration between personnel and coaching when it comes to
some of these meetings. So, it’s been great to listen. I’ve been doing a little bit more
listening than talking right now.”
(On evaluating draft prospects in 2025 versus for future years) “Ultimately, in this world that
we’re in, what have you done lately? What are you doing in the now in order to show
success and to show that we’re going in the right direction? So, ultimately, we have 10
picks. We’re going to lean on some of those guys to play early on. Ultimately, we can’t be
afraid of that. We had three of them in Tampa last year play and have a lot of success for us.
We can’t be afraid of that moment and to play some young players. So, the goal is to get
better, quicker. With having a vision, so having long sustained success, that’s important to
us. But at the moment, we’re looking at winning right now.”
(On if setting the culture is the most important task right now) “Yeah, we had a team
meeting about rules and regulations, introductions. We had a team meeting as well about
our style of play, first and foremost. Really, before we dive into the culture, we’re going to
dive into the way that we’re going to play out on the grass. We also had a culture meeting
with the entire building, which was really cool, where it was all departments, everybody
was involved. It was just a cool way of getting together, establishing the communication
lines and how we want to do things and operate. So, it is very important at this moment in
time for us, yeah.”
(On if he plans on putting QB Trevor Lawrence on a reduced throwing schedule for the
spring) “He’s been working on it himself right now in terms of monitoring that with the
doctors, and with Will [Strength and Conditioning Coach Will Wynkoop] and Ferg [Vice
President of Player Health and Performance Jeff Ferguson] and those guys downstairs. We
haven’t had anything to do with it at the moment. As we lead in, we’re optimistic that we’ll
get there in terms of where we need to go. He’ll be on a pitch count for those things in terms
of where he has to get to, because he has little touchpoints he needs to reach before he
can obviously get out onto the grass and do it full speed. Everything’s moving forward. He
feels really good right now. So, excited about that.”
(On the challenge of having a new strength and conditioning staff) “Yeah, I think it could be
looked at as a challenge. I think it could also look—it’s like a blank slate for these guys
because there’s no pre-existing, just thoughts about anybody. It’s just, hey man, this is how
we’re doing it. These are the things that we’re going to do, while also gearing it towards, at
some point here, individual development plans for each player. So, as we go, we’re setting
the standards in the weight room, how we want to operate; skills will lift this way, the big
skill here and the bigs, they all have different weights and things that they’re doing, but the
mode of operation, the standard of the communication will all be similar. So, I think it’s
actually great that they are starting from scratch and having those relationships be able to
be fostered. Then, as we grow, get to know each other a little bit more, those IDPs will
become a little bit more common.”
(On the level of participation of voluntary offseason programs of the 90-man roster) “Very
high. Very pleased. Very appreciative of the guys for being here, taking the time, knowing
that it is voluntary, but it’s definitely setting a positive standard right now.”
(On how valuable it is to see the free agents integrate themselves with the current roster)
“Yeah, it’s big, and we’ve signed 10, right? That’s a large number of guys to be able to come
in. We’ve got all the players’ faces downstairs in the lobby as you walk in, new and former
players, and really just at the end of the day, most players that do come in, it is a little bit
like being a freshman back in high school again, reintegrating. But the goal is for these guys
to be able to come in, work their tails off, earn respect throughout the way that they’re
going to be able to kind of get through this program and planning. They’ve been positive so
far though.”
(On growing his relationship with the current players in this period) “Very much so. Before
we can do anything, we’ve got to be able to show them at least we care, right? We care first.
We care about not only the success of the organization, but also the development of the
player. When they know that, hey, we’re here to truly help see you become the best version
of yourself, both on and off the field, once we establish those lines, start to have more
intimate conversations, well, that’s usually when you feel them start to maybe let the guard
down and say, ‘OK, hey, I’m open to hearing maybe a new way of learning or a different way
of doing this,’ and vice versa for coaches as well.”
(On if he’s looking to add more personnel to the offensive line) “Yeah, I think from that
standpoint, we’re always looking to add to the roster, whether it’s through the Draft, free
agency, things like that. But I do believe we’ve brought in some players to come help
compete in that room. Couple, obviously with Hainsey [OL Robert Hainsey], knowing the
system and Mekari [OL Patrick Mekari] playing a lot of football and guys coming in, it’s only
going to help, right? Help add competitiveness to the room and also just some
accountability to knowing the system that’ll help everybody in that room. So, it’s cool. Both
of our centers actually know a version of the system in different ways, but it’s only going to
help bring in those guys in.”
(On why the team exercised DE Travon Walker’s fifth-year option before offseason
workouts) “It’s just the type of guy, getting to know them a little bit and knowing that, hey,
this is something we know we want to be a part of, right? We want to have this relationship
and now once we get him in the building under our roof, getting to know each other a little
bit more and creating those conversations, I think that was really what stood out.”
(On incorporating touch as a bonding strategy, as cited in a study) “That’s right. You just
look at connection, and nowadays connection is so hard to actually create because so
much of our lives are on a phone, and just having interpersonal conversations and also, just
the old fist bump, the high five, the chest bump—that helps bring people together. You look
at every free throw a basketball player shoots and it’s here. And so how do we continue to
add that into, like as a kid when you were taught to celebrate, what did that look like? That’s
what we’re ultimately trying to get to, is bringing the team together, bringing the coaching
staff together to do something that ultimately, we’ve never done before.”
(On the how important it was to spend time his family in Rhode Island during the offseason)
“I appreciate that question. Yeah, that was really cool. It was. When you’ve wanted
something for so long and the people that helped raise you and that were around that, saw
that from a young age, and were able to support you throughout those times and getting to
that goal, to share those moments in that time that we don’t usually get, it was really
special. It’s hard when you move around in this profession or in any profession that we live
in. It becomes hard to become closer with family and that was a really special weekend.”
(On what the process been like for him to create a scheme that is his own) “That’s a great
one. You’re always pulling, right? Everybody’s pulling from different places to ultimately
make it ours. We’ve got to watch those tapes of where we all came from, and OK, fine, what
is the ‘25 Jags though? Like, how does this fit us? We may not have that answer right now,
that’s the kind of cool part is we’re going to throw as much at these guys mentally in this
offseason, as much as we can handle and probably more, much more actually, because
it’s not a ‘physical’ time of the year. It’s a time of the year, we can stress them mentally,
ultimately throw as much at them as we can from Minnesota, from Tampa, from L.A., from
Green Bay, whatever it is, and see what we can handle. We’re not going to know who we’re
truly going to be for a while, but it’s more so testing to see how much they can handle, and if
maybe some of those concepts, schemes, fundamentals fit our players. That’s a great
question because that’s something that we’re constantly working through right now as a
staff.”
(On working with QB Trevor Lawerence on his footwork) “I mean, as we’ve gotten him now
in the building, we are trying to create black and white lines when it comes to footwork in
ways, so that understanding that the game is played in the gray. There’s so much that
occurs on a play, if you can have core fundamentals in footwork and that you believe in and
that you trust, in those times of crisis, you have something to actually fall back on and play
with a quieted mind. So, this is a great opportunity now that he is a little limited from a
throwing standpoint that we can dive into the footwork. He can dive into it on his own time
and really work at this thing. So, he’s committed to it. It’s something that we feel strongly
about that can help him continue to get better. Ultimately on Sundays, we hope that shows
up.”
(On the extent to which Lawrence needs to change his footwork) “It’s not really a change—
just tweaking. He’s extremely talented and he’s made some unbelievable plays in critical
moments and led some huge comebacks. He’s played hurt, he’s done so many good
things. Now it’s just about, OK, how do we finetune it and just tighten it up a little bit to get
him in a place where he’s comfortable to cut the ball loose on time and in rhythm
regardless of the circumstances? And that’s really what it comes down to. Being able to
give him some balance around him so that he can feel like, man, not every play is on me.
Not every play I’ve got to, every throw I have to make is going to have to be life or death.
We’ve got to create some balance for him so that he can just go play quieted, free of failure
and just go let it rip.”
QUARTERBACK TREVOR LAWRENCE
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2025
(On how it feels to not have to wear a shoulder brace) “Feels great. Feels great being able
to, unrestricted, hold Shae [Lawrence] and help out around the house, and obviously the
football side, like, work out and throw. I’m able to do all that now and I’m getting there
which feels really good,”
(On his timeline for return to play) “Well, I mean there’s not really a set like deadline on it
just because we don’t play a game till this fall. Obviously, I’m going to be ready sooner than
that, but so I’m very optimistic I’ll be perfectly good for the season, but as far as just right
now, I think just kind of pacing ourselves as OTAs go, and working myself up to where I’m in
shape as far as throwing, and so I guess the amount of throws might be a little lighter to
start and work our way up just until I get really fully back. But I imagine that and then maybe
just some handoff stuff will be a little limited, but besides that I think that won’t last too
long. So I don’t have a [timeline].”
(On if he’s starting to throw) “Yeah, I’m throwing and obviously, I’m kind of progressing and
working my way up, further distance, more throws. Just trying to be smart and not just jump
off into the deep end right away, just trying to work up to it.”
(On how it feels to get back together with the other players in the building) “Feels great, just
the energy in the building. I’ve been here a lot just because of rehab and stuff and trying to
get my shoulder healthy, so I’ve been around this offseason a lot more than maybe even
typically. So, just to have all the guys back in the building, just bring some energy and some
juice and I know from a player standpoint, everybody’s excited, everybody in the locker
room is pumped to be back, and then the coaching side, you can feel the energy and the
excitement and those guys are up here working all offseason trying to get everything ready.
So, they’re chomping at the bit by the time we get in because they get to actually do what
they love and coach and have the players around. So, I think there’s a good balance of just
everybody’s excited and very optimistic, and a lot of energy.
(On the tweaks to his footwork) “Yeah, just there’s some things that—there’s some things
I’ve known about my footwork over the years of playing that I felt like have been a little bit of
a weakness, so there’s some things that we’ve talked about of just, what are those things?
What are we identifying as things to work on? Then, the system is built around timing and
tying your feet to your progression, and playing on-time and so it allows you to get backside,
it allows you to get to checkdowns or whatever it may be, and you can feel comfortable
playing on-time, and more than any system I’ve ever learned, it’s structured and based on
that, and it’s so everything’s tied exactly to, alright this route is on this timing, so then your
next progression is off of this footwork, off this timing, so it all ties in perfect. You don’t have
multiple routes declaring at the same time which is hard as a quarterback because then
you’re sitting back there and you’ve got to make a decision before, really the guy’s open or
covered. So I think they’ve been a really good job with the system of really thinking through
how does it tie into a quarterbacks feet? That’s what we’ve been talking about and it takes
some work and flipping my stance, just some little things like that that are small that many
people wouldn’t notice, but it is. I have so many banked reps of the other way, I’ve got to
just get all these on my own and work them. So once camp comes around, I’m ready to go.”
(On if he’s liked what he’s seen about the system so far) “I do I think it’s I just I really believe
in it. I believe in the process. Obviously it’s early, but as far as just what the main, I guess,
priorities are going to be for us and how they see the game, and our offense, what we want
to build it around, like all those things I’m in alignment with, I think just the few things we’ve
talked about as far as synching the feet to the progressions, into all these things, is really
important as a quarterback, I think I’m going to be able to play even faster and get through
progressions and feel confident, and trust that.”
(On what he’s learned about Head Coach Liam Coen and General Manager James
Gladstone, and what’s different from pervious regimes) “It’s a lot different. I think it’s hard
to compare. Just the energy and obviously younger guys. It’s just a different setup than
we’ve had in the past, not to say one thing or the other, it’s just it is very different, and I think
all around the coaching staff too is majority younger guys. But the one thing I will say is
everyone is in alignment, and it’s the same message and it’s very clear of what’s being
preached and what the culture is going to be about for our team and the messaging is
crystal clear, and I think that’s obviously important. Even starting with James, haven’t spent
as much time with him, but obviously I’ve gotten to talk to him and really enjoyed that. But
from him, all the way through the whole staff, it’s all the same and I think that’s a great
starting point for us. Obviously, time will tell and we have to win on the field. That’s most
important, but I like where we’re at.”
(On if he was frustrated by having to go through another coaching change) “Yeah it’s
challenging for sure, but I think we’re past that point as far as—I don’t know if ‘frustration’ is
the right word, but just starting over is always hard, and obviously we had a good year in
’22, and then things just turned on us over time, unfortunately, and didn’t play well enough
and didn’t win enough games the last two years, and we found ourselves in this position.
So, I think going from that to where we were at, and obviously not having a coach and now
we have Liam, we’re kind of—I’m past that point of feeling like, golly, we’ve got to start over
again, but I mean, just to be honest, there is a little bit of that at first because you’re doing it
again, and you’ve done it before and you’ve done it a few times. So, there’s a little bit of that
at first, but I think we’re way past that. I know guys are really excited. I’m really excited. I’m
just excited to learn this system and to dive in and put as much work in as I can to have a
great year. I have a lot of confidence in the group that we have here. Sure, after the Draft,
team’s going to change even more and what they’re doing upstairs and down locker room, I
really believe in what we’re doing, and so I think that’s where the excitement comes from,
seeing what was said initially and how it’s being carried out, I think is exciting for me
because you’re seeing that they’re doing all the things that you wanted them to do that they
said they do from the beginning. So, it’s exciting.”
(On how different the organization is with Tony Boselli being in the executive vice president
of football operations role) “Yeah, I’ve known Tony for a while now. Obviously, he has that
role so it’s part of his job description for—I wouldn’t say his opinion, but for his input with
the with the staff, with the team, and he’s way more involved than he than he was before.
But I knew we’ve had brief conversations throughout the years, and I could always tell that
that Tony had a lot on his mind for one and had a lot that he might not have been in the role
to voice all that, but just in our brief interactions, we’ve had a great relationship and I feel
like I could always be honest with them, and we’ve been very candid with each other over
the years. It’s been brief, but it’s nice seeing him in that role and being a former player and
sitting in our seats and how much he cares about this team. That’s why he does it. It’s a guy
that I wouldn’t say it was probably his lifelong dream to be in that role since he’s a kid, like
he’s been a player and he wants to see this team be great and this city be better too, and I
think that’s like that’s what’s cool about it, is he’s doing it from that standpoint, not for any
other reason.”
(On balancing football demands with fatherhood) “Yeah, it’s definitely an adjustment
because when you’re home, it’s not as much—you’re not just sitting around doing nothing
and have all that time necessarily. In some ways you have more time, I think, because you
make less plans. Just being a dad, it’s like you don’t have as many plans to go out and do
stuff or take trips or whatever. So, I think just in between when she’s down for an naps,
trying to get into the stuff as much as I can. Start with formations, motions, all that stuff.
Just the base stuff, and then starting with some of the concepts and stuff now. We’re going
to start installing more as a team that we’re back in OTAs. So, we have this set time here
now, which is nice and get to talk with the guys through it. But yeah, no, it’s definitely
different. Got to manage your time well, and also you’ve got to be able to audible and
adjust because Shae wakes up and it’s not, ‘Hold on, I need like 10 more minutes to finish
this.’ It’s right then. So, it’s an adjustment, but thankfully, got a great wife and Shae’s mom,
Marissa, to help me with that. She’s I mean she does more than I do, so I can’t complain.”
(On if he finds it easy to learn a new playbook since he has had to do it multiple times)
“Yeah, there’s some things you’re used to finding ways to make everything stick. I think the
hard part is when you hear things that are the same words that mean something different.
You’ve got a lot of systems that kind of go through your head and you got a really
differentiate it in everything and find a way to learn it that way. I think that’s maybe the more
challenging part, knowing multiple systems, but for the most part, I think the formations
and motions, all the basic stuff like that was really hard for me to learn my rookie year, and
the play calls, the length, all that stuff, because I just wasn’t used to any of it, now being in
multiple systems. Like that that’s a lot that comes more second nature and it’s easier to
pick up.”
(On if he’s talked to Tampa Bay QB Baker Mayfield about working with Coen) “I haven’t yet. I
know Baker, I wouldn’t say well, but we’re buddies and every time I see him, we try to catch
up talk. I really got a lot of respect for him. I haven’t got a chance to yet, but I need to. I’ve
heard through other people that have talked to Baker, different things throughout the
offseason that he’s just says great things about him and how much he helped him and said
I’m going to love playing for him. So, I’ve kind of heard that through I guess mutual friends
and stuff.”
(On not having former WR Christian Kirk and TE Evan Engram around, both on and off the
field) “It’s tough. Yeah, it’s hard. You build relationships with guys and unfortunately, I’ve
seen—those two guys are a little different because we spent three years together and I
guess the majority of my time here, besides my rookie year. So, it’s hard seeing guys go and
it’s part of the business, unfortunately. It’s just, you’ve got to kind of take it for what it is and
move on honestly. But the relationship piece of it will always be there. We built special
relationships and friendships that thankfully will last outside of this being on the same
team. So I think that’s the good thing about it because there’s certain people, when they
leave, it’s like that was my guy, but you kind of lose touch a little bit, but those are two guys
that will always stay in touch. We’ll be close friends and obviously, wish nothing but the
best for them except for twice a year with Christian, and I think we play the Broncos this
year too, do once for Evan. Those guys, they do it the right way and obviously, it’s
disappointing. They’re not here obviously, there’s a lot that goes into this other than just
then friendships and relationships and that part is always going to be hard, but over the
years you kind of get used to dealing with all that stuff and I talked to those guys a lot still,
so we were keeping in touch.”
(On if he purchased a large gift after being drafted) “Nothing that big, not yet. There’s stuff I
like to keep private, but no, I haven’t done the car yet or anything. That’s awesome.”
(On if there have been steps to try to establish the run game) “Definitely. 100 percent. I
think it’s not only just trying to run the ball, it’s what’s the plan? I think everyone tries to run
the ball. I think everybody knows in football, that’s important. I mean, if you know football
at all, you know that’s important. So, I think everybody knows that, but just from the little
that we’ve gotten into, the plan to run the ball well, effectively, efficiently, the way we can
adapt throughout games throughout the season, figuring out what we’re good at naturally,
what we’re going to be better at certain things than we are at others. Those things, how you
determine what the defense is going to do, how you see what they’re doing to get yourself in
the best play. There’s just so much stuff that I’m excited to learn and get into that is kind of
new for me, and it’s more, I think, right now for us, it’s going to be more to learn, it’s going to
be more work put in for all the guys of going to learn the system because it’s a tough system
to learn, but it’s going to help us play faster, it’s going to help us be in the right play more
than we’re not. It’s going to set us up for success, but you’ve got to put the time in and
study.”
(On how he adjusts to losing WR Christian Kirk Kirk and TE Evan Engram) “I’ve learned
throughout my time here, just you can’t control who’s—honestly, you can’t control who’s
here, who’s going to be here, who’s not going to be here, who’s going to get traded, who’s
going to get released, you don’t know any of that really, and those are decisions that are not
in my realm. From what we have here, right now, I know those guys and obviously Dyami’s
[WR Dyami Brown] a new guy, and we’ve got Hunter [TE Hunter Long] and Johnny [TE
Johnny Mundt], two new tight ends as well, I know what we have to work with and I’m sure
there’ll be additions from the Draft. Who knows what those are going to be? But I like what
we have, to be honest. Obviously, losing Christian and Evan are two big losses. I think we
got some good guys in free agency and I’m sure we’ll supplement the Draft as well, but it’s a
different system, so it’s hard to compare apples-to-apples of what they’re what their usage
is going to be in this system, and kind of, it’s just really hard to compare because they’re
totally different offenses. I really like, like I said, Dyami and the speed and obviously Brian
[WR Brian Thomas Jr.] is, I thought he had some great experience last year with all the
injuries we had of having to step up, and everyone knew we were targeting Brian and he’s
going to get majority of the targets, and he still shined and played well and produced every
game. So, that was great practice for him because that’s what’s going to happen now that
he’s shown that, the rest of his career, so I really like where we’re at obviously, we’re going
to keep getting better, we’re going to have pieces and but yeah, it’s kind of hard question to
answer.”
(On what TE Brenton Strange showed last year to prove he is ready to step up) “Brenton is
beyond ready, just the way he practices, the way he works. I think I do give a lot of credit to
Evan. I think him—Brenton’s a hard worker naturally, but coming in and being behind Evan
and having that kind of guy to look up to and as far as Evan’s work ethic and being out there
early, staying late, putting in all the extra time, I think Benton really fell in line with that and
has kept that going. That piece of it makes you feel really good about him because he’s
doing everything the right way, and then obviously his talent on the field. I mean, he’s a
great blocker. He’s nasty, physical, likes blocking. That’s something that that he’s good at
and likes doing, and then when he gets the ball in his hands, breaks tackles, he can run,
great hands. He’s physical. He really can just—he can do everything you need him to do, so
I think he’s beyond ready for this opportunity and that’s the give and take right? You’re
disappointed and the thing with Evan losing a friend losing a great player, but Brenton gets
an opportunity to step up even more, which he which he did a lot at times last year. So, he’s
going to he’s going to do great and I’m just excited to keep building that relationship with
him.”
(On balancing being relied on to make plays versus having personnel that he can rely on to
make plays) “Yeah, there was definitely times I did that, and I would say that, that’s part of
playing quarterback. You have those feelings sometimes and you’ve got to be able to play
the game the right way at all times, and make those calculated risk decisions, whatever it
may be that there’ll be times to do those too. No matter the offense, you’re going to have
those situations come up where it’s like, you might feel like you need to make a play, but
you don’t, just make the smart play. Depends. It’s all situational based, right? If it’s fourth-
down, if it’s fourth-and-ten at the end of the game, then that’s different. You’re throwing into
traffic, you’re trying to make something happen, but that’s part of playing quarterback and
I’ve grown a lot over the years of learning when’s the right time to take those risks, when is it
worth it? But you’re always going to have that, but the hope and the plan is to have less of
those because you’re on schedule, you make the game easier. I think when we think of ‘QB-
friendly,’ it’s how you, what’s the game plan, how you call it, what’s the sequence of the
calls, how the game flow goes, all those things. Like that’s what I think helps a QB out in
this league. Honestly. it is just hard to drop back every play and make it happen because
the pass rush is so good, the disguises are so good, and it’s just hard. So, I think the more
variety you can have just helps you as an offense.”
LINEBACKER FOYE OLUOKUN
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9, 2025
(On how it feels to be back) “It’s fun. Exciting, a lot of good energy in the building. Ready to
all improve together and get this thing rolling, for sure.”
(On what it’s been like to get to know Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile and the
new staff) “Like I said earlier, it’s exciting, for real. They come in with their own energy, kind
of a new energy to the team. Obviously, a little bit younger, but I feel like that resonates a
little bit better in the room and everything right now. The passion that they speak with every
time they’re speaking definitely rubs off on us the right way. Just take that into all of our
workouts, take that into when we get on the field together. A lot of guys all willing to improve
and get better together as a team.”
(On what the challenges are for the team this year with all the changes that have been
made) “I think that’s a challenge every time you step into a new system or new
coordinators, new coaches. One, just embracing coaching; two, just trusting what they
have in store, trusting their plan; three, just understanding whatever the scheme is or
whatever the plans are and still playing your best football. I think that’s always going to be a
challenge when you’ve got new teammates, new coaches and everything. So really
embracing everything and trusting that everything is meant for the better of the team.”
(On if there are any coaches he’s had that are comparable to Anthony Campanile) “I don’t
think so. I mean, he’s a Northeastern dude. I’ve had some—maybe in, like, college and
stuff. I don’t think a coach, though. I’ve seen personalities similar, but not at the coaching
level. It’s really cool, though. I love his energy that he brings and the passion that he talks
with. I feel like it’s going to be contagious for the defense.”
(On if he’s seen the clips of Anthony Campanile from HBO’s Hard Knocks) “I haven’t. I don’t
watch Hard Knocks, so no. I’m going to have to go watch that tonight, then.”
(On if the team needed a culture change following the 2024-25 season) “We didn’t win last
year, so I think whatever changes that are coming are accepted because obviously we
didn’t play up to the standard that we needed. So, whatever was going on… You can’t really
promise more wins, but obviously we needed maybe a new way to attack the season, a new
way to attack the offseason and stuff. So, I think everybody’s very accepting of everything
new that’s in store for us, if that equates to more wins.”
(On if alignment matters) “I think it depends on the team that we’re playing, for real. I think I
want my linemen to eat more than me because if they’re disruptive getting off the ball, if I
feel like we have a zero that can beat up their center, he can disrupt every play, it’s going to
make my job easier. So, at the end of the day, I feel like what’s best for them is going to be
the best for me. Obviously, sometimes you want… If they have good guards that get up to
that second level, if we can maybe disrupt that. But at the end of the day, that’s still the
linemen eating first, and as long as we’ve got linemen doing their thing, I feel like I’m good
to go.”
(On if repeatedly having coaching and system changes ever wears on him) “If I can be real
with you, I think that might be something that’s not talked about a lot, but I think going
through a lot of coaches, a lot of systems, whether offensively or defensively, can take a
toll. I think if you go about it with the right mindset of learning and understanding that it can
make your game better, accepting what they’re trying to coach you on and stuff. After that,
being in so many different schemes, you’ve kind of seen everything. So, these guys are
going to push me, and I feel like it’s coming at a great time in my career. It’s get better –
obviously better than what I was last year – or you don’t know what’s going to happen after
this. I’m taking every challenge on, ready to go, attacking everything, but I’m definitely very
excited to accept new coaching and new understandings of defense.”
(On when he came to the realization of coaching changes being challenging) “I definitely
didn’t always know that. I think if you’re new in the league, being in the same system is
going to benefit you for, let’s say, that rookie contract. Because now, you’re not always
second-guessing stuff. Everything’s kind of set in stone; you’re just playing football based
off of what the offense does instead of worrying about what you do. I had a new coach my
last year in Atlanta. That was learning something on the fly in a contract year. It was like, get
better or get out, to me. That’s kind of the pressure I put on myself. Fortunately, I was able
to play well, and I came here, had a new coach. It was meet expectations, or they’re going
to move on. All of the sudden, you get a new coach, and now it’s like, rise to the
expectation, raise your level of play, or you don’t know what’s going to happen. I think it’s
always cool challenges that I feel like are good for growth individually, but they’re hard in
the moment to maybe unlearn and relearn. But I’m a professional football player; it’s my
job, so that’s what I’ve got to do.”
(On whether young guys in the linebacker room lean on him) “I think we’re all pretty bright,
very talented. I definitely always offer my advice because the better we all play, it’s going to
be good for the room, it’s going to be good for the team. If they have questions about what
I’m seeing, for sure, I’m always offering my expertise, I’d say. They’re very bright, the rest of
the guys and stuff, so I have all the confidence in them to pick up new stuff. I’ve seen it two
times now, being able to play at a high level.”
(On DE Travon Walker having his fifth-year option picked up and what he means to the
team) “I’ve seen his growth from his rookie year to now, and even last year when things
were kind of going awry and stuff, he was still putting his best foot forward. I just like his
work ethic as a player. Schemes, whatever. I just like his work ethic. So, I feel like in a
scheme that’s going to benefit him and the coaches who use his talents and hard work and
mentality to the best of his ability, only the sky’s the limit for him. He’s an athletic specimen
and stuff, but he’s also got that hard-working mentality. I just love being around him.”
(On getting to know Head Coach Liam Coen) “He’s cool. I mean, like I said, these coaches,
they’ve got a great personality and a lot of good energy. I think they’re very direct, I think
they’re very relatable, but they always shoot it straight, if that makes sense. I’m excited to
be around people like that because I don’t like shying away from what needs to be said or
what I need to do. It also allows for a growth mindset. If I feel like I’m seeing something I
don’t feel, because it’s so honest of a relationship between us – or it will be – I can go to
them, and they’re really going to take that into account. But they’ll always want the best for
me because they want the best for the team, and they’re always going to relay exactly what
they’re meaning. So, I’m excited to be around him.”
(On if he feels people tend to run from conflict) “I feel like people do that. I don’t know what
their background are, I just know how I was raised. You couldn’t escape it, so you might as
well go get your punishment, shoot. Yeah, whatever the conflict is, it’s going to be there
tomorrow unless you go attack it now. So, I like going to see what’s really being thought,
what I really need to do. Let me fix that right now or know what I need to fix that way I can go
do it.”
(On if there are veterans he leans on for mentorship) “Very close with Josh [DE Josh Hines-
Allen], Travon, Arik [DL Arik Armstead] has been a good piece to add because he’s done it at
a high level for a long time. I’ve got a lot of friends around the League, really any teammate I
was close with and played with back in the day. One of my staples that I watch, really, like
I’ll hit him up sometimes, but DT] Grady Jarrett in Atlanta. I mean, just how he came in the
League, late-round pick, and then what he’s made himself into, and he’s always working
and a staple of the defenses that he’s on. Definiely try to emulate my career off of what I
saw from him. That’s always a good role model. Obviously, you’ve got sometimes some
linebackers come here, joint practices, I just went to talk to [Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB]
Lavonte David last year and stuff. He gave me good advice on how to attack offseason and
stuff to be able to be playing at a high level all the way through the season as your body—as
you get older in the League. I’m always looking for advice and tidbits on how to get better an
stay better. So, yeah.”
(On working with Director of Strength and Conditioning Eric Ciano) “Yeah, it’s good energy.
That’s one thing, especially after the first two days I just worked out with him, if they’re that
same person every day, it’s going to be great for the team. He’s going to grind us. I think it’s
going to be so good for us going forward. We’ve just got to have a growth mentality to
understand that just because we’re feeling a little tired today. If we keep on this path, you’re
going to amazing by the end of OTAs, by the end of training camp. I’m excited for where this
team can go, lifting with him and stuff. But he’s working us, so I’m excited.”
(On if his experience in the secondary at Yale has allowed him to understand the defense
amid coaching changes) “I think so just because, one, you can understand what other
positions are doing as you’re going. You can understand the ‘why,’ whatever your job
responsibility is so important. Maybe it’s to help out a safety, maybe it’s to help out a corner
and their job responsibility. But I think just going forward, or going through the NFL, as soon
as I came to the NFL I changed positions to a linebacker. I’m always learning new concepts,
new playbook, in order to do well, in order to be successful. So, coming into a new
coordinator, it’s nothing new for me in terms of adapting and learning, and having to
execute on the fly. Like as you said, maybe that flexibility all the way through my college
career kind of geared me to start thinking like that, always being able to adapt with
whatever comes.”
(On if he gifted anything to his parents after being drafted) “We’re pretty frugal, especially
being Nigerian, if you give them something they don’t need, they’re going to be like, ‘Why
did you do that?’ So, I’ve definitely been blessed to not have people that needed that, per
se. I think my parents, they didn’t have a lot, but they did a lot to get me to square zero, I’d
say. Able to pay off my student debts in college, but they haven’t hounded me in terms of
needing a lot. I’ve helped people along the way, that’s our personal relationship—I’m not
going to sit here and brag about people I’ve helped and stuff. But, even for myself, I think for
the first two years, my biggest expense was a couch for my apartment until I got my 2020
Toyota Camry, and that was my biggest one, but I’m not spending a lot. I’ve got a house.
Throughout my career, I’ve got one of those, but that’s about it. That’s pretty much all I
need.”
JAGUARS EXERCISE FIFTH-YEAR OPTION ON DE TRAVON WALKER
JACKSONVILLE – The Jacksonville Jaguars have exercised the fifth-year option on DE Travon Walker, the team announced today.
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