QUARTERBACK C.J. BEATHARD
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2024
(On how big the next two weeks are for him to put things on tape) “Yeah, I mean, I don’t try
to make a bigger deal than what it is. I think every day you’re just trying to do your best and
put your best foot forward. The bigger the moment you make it, I feel like the more stress
you bring upon yourself and there’s just no need for that. I mean, being eight years in, I’ve
seen a lot, been through a lot. So, I feel like I’m mature in that sense.”
(On balancing the quarterback competition and friendship with QB Mac Jones) “I mean, it’s
the same I’ve done literally my whole life, since I was in high school. They’re your friends.
There’s no bad blood. It’s, like, I’m boys with Mac, I’m boys with Trevor [QB Trevor
Lawrence]. We get along really well together. We laugh a lot together. It would be a lot
harder if it was a tough situation as far as personality-wise, but Mac is a great dude. He’s
easy to get along with. We’re just having fun. We’re going out, we’re all putting our best foot
forward each and every day and trying to be our best. And whatever happens happens.
That’s all you can do.”
(On this year’s wide receiver group compared to previous groups) “I think it’s definitely a
well-rounded, well-put together group. We got Gabe [WR Gabe Davis] in the offseason,
drafted B.T. [WR Brian Thomas Jr.] obviously. I think those two guys are going to help us a
lot. Even below them, the guys that we have that have been here a year in the system are
going to be that much better just being in the offense and understanding their role and the
routes and the offense better. I think it’s a much better, well-oiled machine than it was a
year ago for sure.
(On if he was worried about Mac Jones’ mental state and if he’s impressed with the way
he’s handled adversity) “I definitely wasn’t wondering that. But when he got here, I was kind
of just wondering what kind of guy he was because I had never met him, never knew
anything. And I mean, he’s just a great dude, easy to get along with. Has fun, really happy-
go-lucky out there. It’s cool to see that. Like you said, a guy that’s been through a lot. I can
understand certain situations. We both have been through things in our careers. To be able
to handle it and just kind of go with the punches and roll with it, it’s impressive.”
(On if he’s seen a significant difference in Trevor Lawrence) “I think just his confidence in
the system, being three years in. I think he’s taken more ownership of the offense and what
he likes and what he doesn’t like. He’s not afraid to tell Press [Offensive Coordinator Press
Taylor] or Doug [Head Coach Doug Pederson] that he doesn’t want that play called, he
doesn’t like that play; whereas, maybe in years past he would run a play just to appease
coaches or whatever. But now I think he’s taken more ownership of it and telling guys how
he wants certain routes run this way or else you won’t get the ball type of thing.”
(On how important his mentorship is to a younger guy like Mac Jones) “Yeah, definitely, I
think it’s a lot. I think I’m at a place in my life, in my career where whatever situation I’m put
in, I’m just trying to do the best that I can wherever that is, however that is. And like you
said, Trevor and Mac are both going on year four, and they’re younger. I feel like I have some,
I guess, veteran role model-type things that I can try to teach them. I just kind of—at the
same time it makes me sound old. I don’t like looking at myself like that. I don’t feel old. I
don’t feel like I’m that much older than those guys when I’m in the quarterback room with
them. But, yeah, anytime I can add any value to anything, I’ll definitely try to do that.”
HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2024
(On WR Christian Kirk’s injury status) “Just has a mild calf injury right now that we’re just
going to be precautionary and just hold him out.”
(On his assessment of the first joint practice with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers) “I thought it
went well. Good competition out there. There’s a lot of plays when you think about it. I think
we had 90-plus reps on both sides. You’re playing maybe a game and a half of practice, but
it was good. Again, great competition. It was good to go against another opponent. Todd
[Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles] does a great job of coaching his players, obviously.
It was good.”
(On if he has decided which players will not participate on Saturday) “Not yet. Get through
today. Check with Ferg [Vice President of Player Health and Performance Jeff Ferguson],
medical staff, and be cautious with some guys right now. They might be banged up, but
probably finalize that tomorrow, maybe even Saturday morning.”
(On if QB Trevor Lawerence will participate) “Right now, Trevor, with getting all the reps
here, he won’t go. It’ll be Mac [QB Mac Jones] and C.J. [QB C.J. Beathard], they’ll split half a
piece.”
(On Kirk’s timeline for return) “It’s kind of day-to-day. We’ll get through this game, get to
next week. We break camp after this game and get into more of a normal, kind of in-season
type schedule. With more rest on it, we’ll see where he is for Atlanta.”
(On any other injuries to report coming out of practice) “DT [S Daniel Thomas] might be the
only one today you won’t see out there. He kind of has the foot, the little heel issue that he
banged about a week ago. He’s fine. We’re just going to kind of be, again, precautionary and
just kind of hold him out today. Other than that, everybody should be good, working.”
(On his assessment of the offensive line’s performance during joint practice) “I thought
they did some good things. You watched the one-on-one pass rush. I thought we did good
there. [Buccaneers DT] Vita Vea is a big, strong, powerful human being. But that’s good for
us. It’s good for Mitch [OL Mitch Morse] and the guys to go against. I thought we did some
good things. Now, it’s a unique scheme. We haven’t seen it for a year. Obviously, it’s the
same one that we had here. So, some of the pressure—and again, you’ve got to understand
we’re not game planning or scheming anything. It’s just what we’re going against and kind of
using our rules. But I thought overall they did some good things.”
(On the challenge of going against Bowles’ defense and what makes Bowles a good
playcaller) “It’s a versatile defense in the sense that you can mix fronts, you can play with
more linebackers, less D-linemen, and vice versa. Pressures, disguises. He does a great job
of that. Just go back to our game last year and some of the things that he did. That’s what
makes it a challenge because what he shows you maybe the week before is not necessarily
what you’re going to see in your game. He does a great job at that.”
(On if he’s seen WR Brian Thomas Jr.’s improvement over training camp) “We have. He’s
been doing a really nice job. It showed up a couple of plays in the game last week and then
this week in practice. He continues to grow, and just he and Trevor keep talking and
working. That’s what’s going to take, you’re not going to be a finished product right away,
but if he continues to improve and just learn with the offense, grow with the offense. But
he’s been doing a really good job.”
(On if signing several veteran defensive backs was a concerted effort to bring in more
experience) “Well, I think some of it is—I don’t want to say you look to get older because
you’re trying to look to get younger. I think with some of the injuries in the situations now
with Dewey [S Andrew Wingard] being out right now and just where Darnell [S Darnell
Savage] is, he’s not in that contact mode yet. It’s precautionary, so you’re trying to fill in
some pieces there. These guys have a lot of years. Veteran experience. It’s always good to
see where a guy is and really add some more depth to that roster.”
(On if the need for experienced safeties is a result of Defensive Coordinator Ryan Nielsen’s
defensive schemes) “Well, I mean, there’s always, if you’re asking about maybe the
communication piece back there or those guys have seen more football, obviously. I still
like too [S] Antonio Johnson back there. I mean, Daniel Thomas when he’s been in there,
he’s been doing a nice job. Obviously, Cisco [S Andre Cisco] is in a great place. I think [CB]
Erick Hallett’s made some strides this year, and of course then [S] Josh Proctor’s kind of
moving around a little bit. But you’ve still got to try to keep a 90-man roster healthy through
training camp, and that’s a challenge.”
(On LB Chad Muma’s development during training camp) “He’s another one that’s been a
bright spot. He’s really, I think, challenged himself to learn the defense. A little bit of a
different role, but he’s really embraced it and he showed up in the game when he played
and made some nice plays last week. He just continues to really impress. Then on special
teams too, he’s an added contributor there. He’s been doing a really nice job.”
(On the decision to move Proctor to linebacker) “It’s just something we’re going to look at.
He’s a bigger body. He’s a physical kid. We’re just experimenting with just kind of seeing if
he can handle that load in there as well as playing the back end.”
(On the emergence of CB Christian Braswell and CB Montaric Brown) “Yeah, both guys.
Montaric, I think last year playing gave him confidence going into this year and he’s
competed well. Christian, he battled through some injury last year, IR kind of most of the
season, if not all of it, I think. Really kind of came out this year. I think something to prove,
and he’s done that. He’s done a nice job this year. Those two have really taken the steps you
want to see. I think too, it’s a credit to Kris [Defensive Backs Coach Kris Richard] and Cory
[Defensive Assistant/Cornerbacks Coach Cory Robinson] coaching everybody back there
and getting everybody equal time. It’s been good for both of them.”
(On if DE Arik Armstead will practice today) “No. No.”
(On if Armstead could participate from acclimation standpoint) “He can, but he won’t go
for—I don’t need him to go. I mean, you might want him to go, but I don’t need him to go. I
know what he can do.”
(On if he wants Armstead to return to practice next week) “I mean, if you could get a few
snaps, possibly, but that’s not a concern right now.”
(On the difficulty of making roster cuts this year) “I mean, I can think of a couple of
positions. I think there are some really good battles going on the defensive line, and
offensive line as well with some of the young guys that are emerging. Again, you want them
to make your 53, but you also would love to get them back on the practice squad if
possible. So, there’s always that fine line. I think the secondary, as we mentioned, is
another one, another spot. It’s good and bad because there’s a potential of losing good
football players. But if you lose good players, that means you’ve got good players already
on your roster. It’s a challenge and trying to make all the pieces fit.”
(On if this year’s roster cuts will be more difficult than his last two years in Jacksonville)
“Yeah, yeah, by far. By far.”
(On how Beathard and Jones have impressed him) “Yeah, I think it’s been really close
honestly. The addition of Mac was great for that room. It was great for C.J. Both those guys
have really embraced the challenge. We’ve been upfront with both of them and explained
exactly how camp was going to go and really both of them I think are within three or four
reps of having a 50-50 split right down the middle. So, it’s been good. It’s been good
competition. C.J. has been a really positive influence on Mac, just learning the system too.
That’s something you don’t see. When somebody’s challenging for your spot, and you see
that other player coach him up a little bit, that’s encouraging and that’s positive. But both
guys have done a great job.”
(On who will start at quarterback this Saturday) “Haven’t decided who’s going to start yet,
but trying to get them both at least a half, if I can.”
(On the concern level with OL Ezra Cleveland’s injury status) “He battled through it
yesterday. You probably saw him kind of hobble a little bit, but he’s fine. It’s just sore. It’s
different than a game, but we’ve just got to fight through it. But he’s okay.”
(On if Cleveland will not participate this week) “No, no, it’s precautionary. Kind of limit his
reps throughout the course of the week and see where he’s at for the game.”
(On if it was good seeing WR Parker Washington get starting reps at practice) “Yeah,
anytime you get a young player going against an NFL starting secondary in defense, it’s
good to get a really good evaluation. Parker’s done a great job. He’s been a real bright spot
for our offense this camp. Even for him and Devin [WR Devin Duvernay] really to kind of get
these reps now are valuable.”
(On if OL Cooper Hodges is getting more reps with Cleveland day-to-day) “Yes.”
(On if he’s excited for Hodges to see more time after his first preseason game performance)
“Yes.”
(On Hodges’ physicality) “That’s a great word.”
(On Hodges being called a “big man” by Offensive Coordinator Press Taylor) “Yes, he is.”
(On his impressions of Buccaneers LB Lavonte David) “I mean, obviously a tremendous
player, good leader, veteran presence, still playing at a high level. I think that’s what you
want in players like that. Every roster is looking for guys that can do that and it just gives
your team confidence. It brings energy, brings leadership and just somebody that I think as
the season goes, you just lean on more and more to get more out of your team.”
QUARTERBACK MAC JONES
MEDIA AVAILABILITY
THURSDAY, AUGUST 15, 2024
(On the challenges of learning a new offense) “I think it’s great. I think when people say it’s a bad
thing, I think it’s a great thing. You obviously want to have continuality with a certain person, but at
the end of the day you’re learning from each person’s backgrounds. I think of Coach Daboll [current
New York Giants Head Coach Brian Daboll] at Alabama, Sark [current University of Texas Head
Coach Steve Sarkasian] , Mike Locksley [current University of Marland Head Coach] . You’re getting
different coaching backgrounds from everywhere. And then obviously in New England you get a lot
of good coaching there. So here with Doug it’s been awesome. He’s a great quarterback mind. And
like I said, I’m taking from each coach, taking what I want and what I want to know and what I want
to learn, and it’s been a great time here. I feel like I’ve learned a lot about offensive football here. So,
I’m definitely going to try to add that to my game.”
(On if this is a different style of offense he is learning) “I think it’s a mixed bag. I think we do a lot of
things really well. Just being here for the last couple of months, it’s very detailed, attention to detail
is there. I don’t think there’s a lot of drop-off from each group, which is really good. Sometimes it’s
hard, maybe the 1s look good but the 2s and 3s not so much. I think it shows that the coaches are
doing a great job in the meetings and the quarterbacks and the players are all communicating. I
think that’s important with every team, and I think the offense is very versatile. I think it’s deep, short
and in the middle. It’s kind of everything in between. It’s been good.”
(On one thing he has learned from Head Coach Doug Pederson) “I think it’s just
straightforwardness. He’s not going to tell you lies. He’s going to tell you what it is. It’s the truth. And
it’s also, he does it in a very quarterback-friendly way because he’s played, right? So, he’s going to
tell us to go out there and rip it. Maybe we had a bad practice and he says, hey, you guys just keep
ripping it, have fun, and try to make great decisions. But also try some throws because at the end of
the day if you don’t try, you’ll never know if you can make the throw. I think practice is a great time to
do that. I’ve learned that from him. Obviously, a lot of things. And like I said, the attention to detail in
team meetings and everything, I’ve been very impressed with. That carries through the whole staff,
the whole organization. Definitely been pleased with that.”
(On how he balances competing against a teammate for the 2nd string job) “I’ve competed my
whole life. And I find great joy in competition. I try to be myself. I’m not going to change because of
one thing or another. Like I said, I think we have a great room here. Trevor and C.J. have been
awesome. And I feel like we’re brothers in there and that’s what you want. And you want to bounce
ideas off each other and compete every day. And sometimes we have these net challenges and
stuff. It’s like three brothers out there just throwing the ball around. We compete in that regard. We
compete in every other regard. But at the end of the day we’re on the same team. We’re all working
for the common goal, and that’s, every good team I’ve been on, that’s the case. The bad ones, not
so much.”
(On how QB C.J. Bethard has been a mentor for him) “Yeah, C.J. has obviously been fortunate to
play in this league for a long time. He’s a great dude. Definitely love the conversations we have, but
he’s taught me a lot. I think he was in San Francisco. So there’s some things that I ran at Alabama
and whatnot that are similar. And we always talk about certain plays like that. He’s very smart and
hardworking. And I think the group just fits together really well.”
(On the biggest difference in joint practice compared to practicing against his own team) “I think it’s
a really cool opportunity. I’ve been fortunate to be in a couple of joint practices and experience it
and I really enjoy them. It’s different when you’re in college. You don’t ever go against another team.
But for the young guys, I think it’s good because you’re like, hey, you’re practicing against another
team, it brings a little more juice out. And I do think it was a clean practice both days, which is
sometimes hard to do. But I really thought that both teams did a good job. And it’s a lot of fun, you
compete. You see different looks, you can try different throws maybe you wouldn’t try. Now it’s
always weird when you have to play in the game now too because you practiced all week and now
you’re going to go into the game having known what they’ve done but it can always switch as well.”
(On how different a preseason game is after doing joint practices with a team) “It just depends.
Every team is different. Sometimes people don’t show much and some show a lot. You have to be
ready for both sides of the story. And at the end of the day it’s about going out there, having fun,
sticking to my rules and try not to do too much.”
(On how much coach Pederson warned the team about fighting) “Yeah, he was really concerned
about me fighting (laughter). I think he was very straightforward. I think we have professionals on
our team. I think the old guys did a good job. Like, when you’re young, you’re going against another
team, there’s some competitive juices going. But they explained, hey, fellas, we’re not here to fight.
And I think Tampa Bay did a good job doing that and being professional. Hats off to both head
coaches for making that happen. It’s tough sometimes you see fights break out and it ruins the
practice. But I feel like it was good.
(On Buccaneers NT Vita Vea) “That’s a big dude right there. I mean I played against him my rookie
year. They’ve got a talented group over there. And not only that, the scheme is really good. He’s
definitely got a couple of pounds on me, even though I’m a little heavy right now. (Laughter).
(On two of the six QBs on the field during joint practices playing high school football in Jacksonville)
“It’s pretty cool. John [Buccaneers QB John Wolford] , obviously I’ve watched him a long time. He’s a
little older than me. Had a chance to throw with him and train with him a few times. He’s a great
dude. He’s earned everything he’s gotten. He’s fought for everything. And seems like he’s a great
guy, had a chance to train with him in the offseason, same with Kyle [Buccaneers QB Kyle Trask]
and Baker [Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield] . Obviously, Baker’s journey is something that’s inspiring
for me and a lot of quarterbacks. It’s not going to be perfect from the start to the finish. You might go
up and down and then he kind of found his little home. Hopefully that can be inspiration for me and
many others. And obviously I’m focused on right now and being on this team and being great. But,
yeah, I think it’s a great group of people. And like you said, have two guys from Jacksonville, it’s big
motivation for a great football city, great football town with good youth sports and high school
sports. I’m definitely looking forward to watching some of that this fall.”
(On how he is approaching the next two games) “I think it’s different. Some years you’re the starter
and you may not be playing much. A lot of times it’s a coach’s decision. But I always want to get out
there and play as much as I can. I think that’s good whether you’re the starter, back-up and third or
fourth. It doesn’t matter. You want the reps in the game. I think that’s really beneficial for the young
people. I don’t try and put too much pressure on these games. I think it’s two games that are very
important but for a lot of people they might not even be playing. But for a lot of people it’s very
important. So, you have to understand that. I’m just looking forward to competing. It’s not all going
to be perfect, but you’ve got to learn from it and continue to build momentum into the season.”
(On if he has talked to QB Baker Mayfield about his journey) “I talked to him a little bit last year, I
think, or two years ago when he was on the Panthers. We talked a little bit. I just enjoy watching
quarterbacks’ journeys and everyone’s is different. I can definitely find motivation from that one.
And maybe I’ll pick his brain a little bit more. But he’s a great quarterback he’s fighting back and has
done a good job of that. And I think a lot of people can take note.”
