JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024
(On if the game was reflective of the season in a nutshell) “Yeah. Another one-score loss,
but it’s sort of fitting for the type of year we had to take it into overtime, get a little extra
football and still lose by a score. So, listen, we have to – obviously, as a team – we have to
learn. We’re learning the hard way, but we have to learn how to win and win these close
games like this, because this is what the league is about, and we will. Kind of a fitting way
to end our season.”
(On what this team means to him) “Yeah, these are tough moments, because it’s the last
time we’re going to be together, as a team, taking the field together, things change.
Offseason begins, and everything begins to change. And you change for the better, and you
try to get better, you try to improve. But for the moment, right now, appreciate every one of
those guys in there. They worked their tails off. They worked hard for me. They didn’t quit on
me, they didn’t quit on each other and they battled to the end. So, these are hard
moments, because there’s obviously no more football for the season.”
(On what he feels about his job status right now) “I’ll find out this week. It’s hard to
speculate right now. Emotions are running high, obviously, but I hope that I’m still here
honestly. I feel like we’ve got the makings of being a good football team, and our main guys
– one, need to get healthy, and then two, we’ve got to continue to work hard. So, I’m
optimistic, and hopefully that happens.”
(On if he thinks the team could have a quick turnaround in terms of getting back to winning
as in previous seasons) “I mean, I think it kind of has to, honestly. The turnaround has to be
quick, it has to be fast, and we’ve got to do it the right way. And that’s continuing to work
and just build the pieces and put together a strong football team heading into next year.”
(On if he thinks the losses in one-score games comes down to certain plays or rather an
ineffective gameplan) “No, I don’t think that. I think, obviously, we set out with a plan, and
then sometimes that gets a little derailed with injury as the season goes and offensively, it
affected us. We missed a lot of our weapons on offense. Quite honestly, it’s two years in a
row our quarterback hasn’t been healthy, and that’s something we’ve got to make sure that
he stays healthy, and he will. He knows that. He sees it and understands that. But I think
the plan too, to play some of these young guys that we did, some of them had to fill in some
big, big shoes. I mean, you look at (CB) Jarrian (Jones). He maybe wasn’t going to be
penciled as the starter right away, but he got thrown in there right away and played a lot.
You can look at (DT) Maason (Smith) and (DT) Jordan (Jefferson) and all those guys, BT (WR
Brian Thomas Jr.), all those young players just stepping up and playing. Because that’s
what’s going to make us a better team moving forward, playing that many guys.”
(On what he foresees for QB Trevor Lawrence going into the 2025 season) “I’m excited.
He’s excited. He’s looking forward, obviously, to the offseason. And really, I think overall,
learning from this year and taking it another step further and getting better himself and
getting better as a team. I know he’s excited and really, really looking forward to the
opportunity to get back out on the field when he can and sort of righting the ship and
getting us back on track.”
(On what he makes of how the season unfolded with the team’s confusion and what went
wrong) “I mean, those are all things that now obviously I get a chance to sit back and take a
look at and evaluate. I think that’s what needs to take place. And then you can probably put
a finger on the whys. Obviously, we’re all in it together. The accountability is everybody and
be able to get that. But those are, whatever comes out of that, that’s what we’ve got to fix,
right? That’s what we’ve got to fix moving forward.”
JAGUARS QUARTERBACK MAC JONES
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024
(On his reflection of the way this season went) “Yeah, for sure. It’s a tough ending to a
tough season, but really proud of the guys and the coaches. Just did a good job trying to
finish. The season has sadly been over for a little bit of time here. We’ve been fighting and
that’s all you can ask for.”
(On what this experience has been like, playing for his hometown of Jacksonville, and his
reflection of his time in Jacksonville now that the season is over) “Yeah, I’m looking forward
to talking about that tomorrow and have a chance to do that, but right now I’m just focused
on the game. I do appreciate the people in this organization. It was a tough year, but still
fun in its own way. I really appreciate the coaches and the players that I got the chance to
play with.”
(On what he sees out of this group and how hungry they might be to turn next season
around) “Yeah, it’s a good group. On offense, we had six-to-seven guys that were out with
injuries so young guys stepped up for the last half of the season. So, that’s been
impressive. It’s always tough in the NFL when you’re not getting a lot of reps, and the
quarterback is different and receivers and tackles. So, it was good to see all of those guys
make plays throughout the year and definitely have a bright future here. I’m looking forward
to watching these guys and I feel like they have a good foundation.”
(On his appreciation that despite QB Trevor Lawrence being the leader of this team, the
guys embraced him stepping in) “Yeah, for sure. I think I learned a lot from Trevor
(Lawrence) this year. He’s a great leader and person. For him – obviously his injury was
unfortunate – but I do feel like the guys on the team have a lot of respect for me, and
hopefully I just earned everyone’s respect. That’s all I care about – for them to say that I
was tough and that we were in every game. Wish it could’ve gone the other way
sometimes, but I do believe that I put my best foot forward and so did they.”
(On what he feels he proved to the rest of the league and to himself this year with what he
was able to accomplish) “Yeah, honestly, I love this game. So, I really put a lot of time into
it and so do the people around me. I know the coaches and players felt that this year,
whether I was starting or not. I try to be the first guy in and study and learn the offense and
learn the people and all that. I love football. I know that and eventually it’s going to even
out and go my way. So, I’m looking forward to that and I’m looking forward to watching
these guys grow as well.”
(On if he’s looking forward to a break this offseason) “Yeah, a little bit. I mean, trust me,
you want to be in the playoffs, so you can sit there and watch and kind of be sad about it
and mad. It’s the last time I want to be sitting and watching. So hopefully, I can learn from
that, and once again, just going to cherish the moments with these guys, because it’s a lot
of good guys in this locker room.”
(On what it will take for this team to “get over the hump”) “I’m not sure. I mean, I think, like
you said, there’s some great, young pieces and guys under contract so, and coaches too.
So, I won’t really speak on that. Like I said, I’m happy to talk about that tomorrow. I think for
today, just tough ending to a tough year. And once again, I’ve got a lot of respect for the
guys in this locker room, the EQ (equipment) guys, trainers, everybody. So, it’s been a long
run here, but looking forward to enjoying just the time with my friends that I’ve made on this
team.”
COLTS HEAD COACH SHANE STEICHEN
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, JANUARY 5, 2024
Opening Statement:
“I’ll start off, just injury update wise – (Laiatu) Latu had a shoulder, JuJu Brents, groin, and
then (Matt) Goncalves had a concussion. Then just about the game – obviously, finished in
the right way. That’s what we wanted to do – getting the victory. Our guys were pros about it
all week, going about their business, and to get a victory at the end of the year was huge.
Obviously, not where we want to be. Obviously, we want to be in the playoffs. That part is
disappointing, but I am proud of the way the guys fought this last game.”
What did you think about the way Jonathan Taylor ran today?
“Ran hard, man. He’s been running hard all year. Obviously, popped some big runs for us
there, especially there in that overtime deal to get us down in there, to get the field goal, to
help Joe (Flacco).”
What can you say about Alec Pierce and the season he had?
“I mean really improved. I’ll tell you what, the plays he made down the field – obviously, a
big one there, third-and-10 in overtime. Just a little sideline play to him, going up and
getting it. Made some big times in clutch moments for us this year. So, awesome.”
If you add the pass interference penalty yards to his yardage, he has about 1,000 yards
on the season. How impactful were those too?
“Those were huge. Obviously, we had a couple of those this year which led to big plays. So
yeah, it was big time.”
What was the message to the guys in the locker room there? It sounded like there
were some drawn-out applauses.
“Mr. (Jim) Irsay was in there. Fuzzy (John Starliper) has been here for so long in the video
department and Dave Hammer in the medical staff. Obviously, just giving those guys some
props and acknowledging them for everything they’ve done for this organization. Those two
guys obviously have been with this organization forever, and just giving them props in there
for everything they do for this organization.”
Was there any debate on playing JuJu Brents today given his injury history and how
long he had been out?
“No, there wasn’t. Obviously, we were ramping up. It was a while until we activated him,
and he was ready to go today. Obviously, injuries happen. That’s the unfortunate thing
about the game.”
What are your expectations going forward? You said you talked to Jim Irsay but do you
expect to be back here next year?
“Yeah, we’ll have those ongoing conversations. Again, obviously I love being the head
football coach here. Love everything about it. Love this team. Obviously, we’ll have an
evaluation process early on this week, but I’m excited.”
How much of an impact has Ryan Kelly made on this organization even just in your
time here?
“Phenomenal impact. I mean first and foremost, a phenomenal person, first and foremost.
His family, his wife, his kids – just phenomenal. Then obviously, being a team captain over
the last two years, what he brings to this football team – the leadership, the way he plays
the game. Obviously, a Pro Bowl player for us. I can’t say enough good things about Ryan
(Kelly).”
Zarie Franklin will most likely end the season as the NFL tackle leader. Then he ends
the game with a huge sack. In looking at his season as a whole, what impressed you
the most?
“I think he plays the game relentlessly. He’s always ready to go. He’s got a mindset about
him that he doesn’t want to be denied. That’s what I love about him – the way he goes
about his business every single day.”
Is this franchise in the right hands?
“Yeah, I believe so. I mean obviously, it didn’t go the way we wanted it to go. It’s one of
those years – down year for us. But again, I’m going to work relentlessly, along with
everyone, to get this thing going in the right direction so we can put a championship culture
and winning product on the field next year.”
What will you recall about this season when you try to put it into perspective?
“I think more than anything, there’s a lot of adversity, a lot of ups and downs. Some of the
games we lost, the way we lost them – going back and looking at those and reflecting on
those moments to get those things corrected and get those things fixed obviously.”
Do you expect staff changes around you?
“Again, we just finished the game. Obviously, that’s going to be part of the evaluation
process moving forward.”
What aspects are there as you look at it and say this is what we did well at and this is
what we need to improve on to get this going in the right direction?
“Gosh, it’s early to say what it is. Obviously, that’s going to be part of the reflection
process, but off the top of my head, just finishing. Finishing games in certain situations is
going to be big for us moving forward.”
Obviously, you want to reflect on this season but how quickly do you imagine you’ll
get to working on 2025?
“Oh, very, very quickly. Obviously, that starts tomorrow.”
How nice is it to get the Jacksonville monkey off your back?
“It’s big. Obviously, to finish with the win and finish with a win against a division opponent.
I’ve got a lot of respect for Doug (Pederson) and what he’s done in this league. Man, just a
phenomenal coach. Obviously, they’ve got a good team over there, so lot of respect for
those guys.”
What did you think of the atmosphere today?
“Atmosphere was good. I mean our fans show up like crazy like they always do. I know it
was snowing like crazy out there today, but it was good.”
