HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024
(On what he has been able to gather from DL Arik Armstead) “Well, from the approach just the
experience that he’s had, I think being on San Francisco and the success that they’ve had, bringing that
experience to us and our young players. That leadership is going to be vital to the success that we have
and having more of those guys on the roster only helps. Then, once we get him out there on the grass
working with the guys I think you’re going to see an ultimate pro in the way approaches everything.
Again, you can’t have enough of those guys.”
(On if he thinks DL Arik Armstead will be fully healthy by training camp) “Yes.”
(On what he thinks adding DL Arik Armstead helps the most) “What it looks and what he can bring. Not
so much in training camp, I’m looking down in December and January, what it looks like towards the end
of the season so you don’t have what happened last year happen again. You need guys like that. I can
only say so much but when you turn it over to the players and the guys that have been there, done that,
it means more coming from them.”
(On if WR Joshua Cephus has consistently made plays throughout OTAs) “It’s been consistent. He’s done
a nice job from a young player coming in here, picking up, and doing some things. Now, we’re here at the
end of the offseason program and we’re going to have some time away but what he retains between
now and camp and coming back in great shape. But he’s done a nice job. He’s making plays and that’s
something that we’ve got to see once we get in camp and you put the pads on. See what they can do
then.”
(On how he feels about the team as a whole) “I think you get a pretty good idea about where everybody
is, where the team is. I think it was successful from the standpoint of the way these guys worked, the
way they came in with the right attitude and good frame of mind. They worked extremely hard in the
weight room to get stronger, which we needed to do as well. But I think too you’re seeing the leadership
of the team. We’ve talked about Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence] and his impact and him taking that next
step and what I’ve seen there, and the positivity there. Obviously guys like [WR] Christian Kirk coming
back healthy and seeing that. This rookie class has been really good coming, seeing how that work and
last year’s class. So, all the pieces are sort of coming together here at the end. We’ve just got to carry
that right into July and August.”
(On how much leeway he gave defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen to bring in his own guys) “I don’t
know if it’s understood, I mean you’ve got to have those conversations. Who the assistants are going to
be and who are the guys he’s worked with before. Are they going to fit us? Are they going to fit me and
get along? All that kind of stuff. But yeah, each one of the guys we interviewed, they have guys that they
want to bring and Ryan had guys that he wanted to bring. Guys like Kris [defensive backs coach Kris
Richard] and Cory [defensive assistant/cornerbacks coach Cory Robinson] are guys that he’s been with
before, that he’s had success with before. That’s always a positive when you’ve worked with coaches
who’ve had success around the league or with you as a coordinator.”
(On how much can chemistry between coaches help with winning) “I think it just comes down to the
trust. We have to trust each other as a staff, we have to trust our players, and players have to trust
coaches. They being the players, have to know that the coaches have their best interest and they have
their backs. I think that’s where that cohesiveness comes from. I played for Andy Reid in Green Bay, same
thing. I didn’t play for him in college but obviously in the pros and then you end up working for him.
There’s a trust, a bond, and a relationship there. I think all those things can benefit your staff.”
(On if it’s hard to get a read on OL Steven Jones because there are no pads at practice) “It’s hard but he’s
doing a nice job and he’s getting better. This time of year too it’s probably more of the mental capacity
and what they can retain from the classroom out on the grass but again, training camp we’ll put pads on
and you’ll get to see more of where those guys are.”
(On how he would assess OL Cooper Hodges and LB Ventrell Miller) “I think both guys number one
attacked their rehab, that’s where it starts and they put themselves in position to help on the football
team. I think both guys are in really good shape right now and in really good positions. Again, they came
back with the right frame of mind and really looking forward to watching these two players in training
camp and seeing where they can help us.”
(On how much growth WR Parker Washington) “I think what you’re seeing with Parker is the confidence.
The confidence in him playing last year, understanding what it takes, watching Christian [WR Christian
Kirk]. Again, another young player that came back in the right frame of mind and excited to get on the
field. I think he’s another one that’s healthy now and moving around really well. It’s good to see.”
(On how much these next couple of days are just an extension of OTAs) “It’s really the same. Call it what
you want, minicamp or whatever, it’s really an extension of Phase 3 for us. Just the development process
and continuing that. Really, you’re not having a lot of the vets out there, it’s a great opportunity for these
young players to get the bulk of the work.”
(On where he’s seen the rookie class grow) “Their attention to detail in the building, their work ethic in
the weight room, how they’re competing out on the football field in all of Phase 2 and 3. We’ve seen a
lot of positivity there. It’s a good group top to bottom so that’s why I think it’s good for them to get the
bulk of the work this week and then take a little break and come back ready to go in July.”
(On if they tried to do a joint practice with Kansas City) “No.”
(On if they tried to do more than one joint practice) “No, I don’t think it’s too much. I think two’s a good
number but you’ve got to have two teams or at least another team that is willing to do it. I never
reached out to coach Reid [Kansas City Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid] to do that, no.”
(On if there is a specific goal for Phase 3) “No injuries, stay healthy. Phase 3 is more competitive than the
other three phases obviously. You’re doing more offense versus defense stuff. You just try to limit the
contact and you’re still teaching, developing and growing your football team. Bottom line too, you don’t
want guys to get hurt this late into the offseason because it will set them back for training camp. We’re
just now getting guys healthy, who’ve missed a little bit of Phase 1 and 2, who are going to be here this
week and that’s exciting to see. We just don’t need any setbacks at this time.”
(On if it’s kind of a balancing act when it comes to practicing hard and not getting hurt) “Exactly, and
that’s the hardest thing because they’re football players. They want to compete, they want to win every
down, whether your offense or defense. You’ve just got to pump the breaks sometimes and make sure
that we’re more teaching than we are competing at this time.”
(On if he had a message for the vets that were let go and what his message will be once minicamp is
over) “I did [Laughing].”
(On if he will share that message) “I will [Laughing].”
(On what he saw in OL Jack Anderson) “Well, we just got him. We’ll get him out there this week and see
how he fits in. Obviously, he gives us depth at the offensive line. There was an interest even when he was
coming out of school, in college, and all of that. You can never have enough big guys, whether it’s offense
or defensive linemen in this league. He’s another one that gives us that depth.”
(On what he leans on OLB Josh Allen for this week) “The fact that he’s here, his leadership. Veteran guy,
he appears to be in great shape like he always is. I just think too now for him, he’s going to be learning
some new stuff and these next couple of days are going to be great for him, for the young guys to see
him and for the coaching staff to finally get their hands on him to finally start coaching and teaching. It’ll
be a good two and a half days with Josh here.”
(On what OLB Josh Allen’s biggest challenge is mentally, following what he did last year) “Well the
challenge is for any player in that position, that has had success the year before is can you do it again?
and you have to do it again. The fact that the contract is behind him now and he can just focus on ball, I
think that’s his main focus in helping us. He has to understand too that he doesn’t have to do it by
himself. There are 10 other guys on the field that can help him get to where he wants to be too. But
taking a step in the right direction, being here this week obviously I think for him, and I know the type of
person he is and the way he works, puts himself in a position to be successful as he moves forward.”
(On if his relationship with OLB Josh Allen has changed and if Josh has changed after his successful
season) “No, it hasn’t. He’s still Josh. He’s still a big part of the football team, he’s a leader of the football
team. I don’t have to ask any more or any less. I just want him to be him and he doesn’t have to put any
more pressure or stress on himself. Just go play and help us win games.”
(On what kind of offseason OLB Travon Walker has had) “He’s been good. He’s just another bright spot
on defense obviously. He’s excited about the new scheme. He’s another young player that will be
counted on, even in a leadership role on defense and amongst the team. Just a great kid. Humble,
hardworking, wants to improve, wants to get better, wants to learn, and he’s still growing. That’s the
exciting part about him.”
