JAGUARS HEAD COACH DOUG PEDERSON
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
DOUG PEDERSON: Yeah, I thought defense did an outstanding job with the type of
firepower they have on offense. I know there was yards, time of possession, but to hold that
team to four field goals, it gives you a chance. Obviously we had the drive in the first
quarter, touchdown drive and then after that, we couldn’t stay on the field. Credit
Minnesota on what they did defensively, Coach Flores [defensive coordinator Brian Flores],
they did their stuff. And we didn’t overcome a few things. Had a couple of setbacks on first
down. Had too many seconds and longs. But this game is not about one person or one
man. It’s a team sport, and we just didn’t do enough today.”
(On what kind of feed QB Mac Jones gave him) “Honestly, we’ve got to watch the tape
tomorrow, watch it with them, the players, get feedback, because I didn’t necessarily speak
to them after. The two change of possessions like that, we were right back on defense, so I
didn’t get a chance to talk to him at that time.”
(On if received any feedback from Mac in the locker room postgame) “He’s hurting. He’s
taking it hard. I just told him, it’s again it’s not about one guy. This is a team deal and
offensively we didn’t do enough around Mac — and I’m not — listen, it takes 11 guys.”
(On why it was difficult to get the wide receivers involved today) “Minnesota did a nice job.
They showed, if you watch the game, they showed a lot of six up, seven up, which they do.
Play a lot of cover 2, spin out to cover 2, a lot of cloud stuff. Then, of course, the pass rush.
So it’s a challenge. It’s a challenge. And we obviously have to do a better job when we see
that kind of stuff and execute. As coaches, we can prepare a little better there and help our
guys out. But I credit what they did.”
(On what his level of disappointment is this season given the team is 2-8) “Never expected
to be here. We had five or six games, they’re one-score games. It’s hard. As a team, as
coaches, we’re making it hard, too hard. And the guys are frustrated, and they should be;
and they’re angry, and they should be because we all are. But we have to channel it in a
positive way and get ready for another one.”
(On how to get WR Brian Thomas Jr. involved and if they played more cloud defense) “They
did play it more. I mean, this is a cover 2 defense. And they did a lot of that today. Then,
again, their pass rush did a nice job. Got some pressure on Mac, made him scramble early,
and then so it’s a combination of both. It’s what they did schematically to us and then just
our execution offensively.”
(On what was supposed to happen during the play on a final interception) “I’m not going to
go through the details of the play because you guys wouldn’t figure it out. But we’ll look at
the tape tomorrow and we’ll make those corrections.”
(On if he is shocked that they moved the ball so well during the beginning of the game but
not throughout the whole game) “I wasn’t shocked during the game. That’s what we’re
expected to do. I think as the game progressed, it just got seemingly worse, right, first
down, run the ball, we got behind the chains. Second and long. It just got harder
offensively. That was the frustrating part, I think, just not staying positive on first down
because you go back to that drive, that’s what we did. We were able to stay on the field and
stay positive on first down.”
QUARTERBACK MAC JONES
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
(On his level of disappointment) “I think the defense played great and the offense, we’ve got
to do better, and it starts with me. Those guys fought, though, and I really appreciate the
team for having my back. Just got to learn from it. No excuses. Definitely wanted a different
result, but I’m going to keep fighting.”
(On his interceptions) “No excuses, just go through my reads and live to fight another down.
Especially in those situations on first down. Nothing that anybody else did, it’s on me. The
defense got us the ball back. As the quarterback, you’ve got to put the ball in play and let
the guys make plays. It’s on me.”
(On his second interception in particular and if the hit affected the throw) “I’m not really
sure. I have to watch it. I definitely need to step up. I’m not really sure what happened once
I let go of the ball. I’ll have to watch it.”
(On what went downhill after the touchdown drive) “Yeah, it’s one of the top five defenses in
the NFL. They’re going to challenge the quarterback. We actually did a good job on the hard
stuff and then the easy stuff wasn’t good enough by me. So, Coach Flores [Vikings
Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores], their defensive coordinator, had those guys ready, and
we’ve just got to play better, and it starts with me. Just going back to our defense, I already
told them they played a great game. I’ve got to put a better product out there to help us
win.”
(On being unable to capitalize on the defense’s turnovers) “Like I said, they played a very
good football game and a game that gave us plenty of chances to win. As a quarterback,
I’ve got to get us in the end zone or get some field goals on the board. We were in it at the
end, but that’s the NFL and you never know how the games are going to go. Just have to
finish better.”
(On if friends and family came to support him) “Yeah, I had a few family and friends and,
yeah, I grew up down the road and played my first game of tackle football 19 miles from
here. So definitely disappointed with my opening start, but I know I can be better, and I
usually bounce back pretty good from failure. So, I’ll see what I can do.”
(On if he felt rusty coming into the game) “Got the scout team reps. I felt prepared.
Everyone was on the same page for the most part during the week. It’s been a year. So, no
excuses. Been playing my whole life and played a lot of football in this league, and I know
what I’ve got to do to win. And today what I put on the field wasn’t good enough. I’ve just got
to keep working and do everything I can to stay motivated and confident and lead the team
as best I can with Trevor [QB Trevor Lawrence] being out.”
(On offensive struggles over the last two weeks) “I think every game is different. This week
obviously focused on their defense and the challenges they present, and I don’t think many
quarterbacks have played well against that defense. I’ve got to play better and have a better
plan and to learn from it and take the completions. But each week is different. You can’t
really look at one week versus another, especially when you’re not out there.”
(On his fumble) “That’s on me. Look, me and Mitch [C Mitch Morse], we don’t get that many
reps together, but we get them after practice a lot. So, there’s no excuse for that. It’s a day
one play that you learn and it’s on me as the quarterback.”
(On if he pulled back too quickly) “I’d have to look at it.”
CORNERBACK TYSON CAMPBELL
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
(On his thoughts on the defense’s performance) “We fought. We fought ‘til the triple zeroes
came on the board. I’m proud of the defense, proud of those guys. We’ve still got belief in
this team. I’d run through a wall for them.”
(On if there was anything different at practice for the defense this week) “No, just put on
your hard hats and come to work each week. Learn from your mistakes from the prior week
and just try to get better each and every day.”
(On if the defense could have done anything else better today) “We had some penalties.
They had a crazy penalty on me, but it’s all good. There’s always room for improvement, so
we’ll just go in the film room, learn from it and try to improve on it next week.”
(On if there are any answers to turning around the season) “Really, just keep swinging,
man, and just finishing and finding ways to win at the end of the game. Keep being in
situations where we can win in the fourth quarter, and I feel like, once we get over that, get
over that hump, we’ll be fine.”
(On if he’s proud of what the Jaguars did to limit the Vikings’ explosive plays) “Yeah, there’s
always something to be proud of taking away from the game, and always something to
learn from. All in all, proud of the way these guys fought. I wouldn’t want to fight with any
other group. We just keep working, man, and we’ve got Detroit next week.”
(On QB Mac Jones’ first start with the Jaguars) “Mac, to me, he played with a lot of energy.
He played with a lot of confidence. He played like he’s a starting quarterback in this league.
We put the utmost trust and belief in him, and we know he can lead us to victory.”
(On CB Montaric Brown’s interception) “Oh man, hell of a play. Proud of him. Someone
who comes to work every day and always makes plays when his number’s called. So, I’m
proud of him.”
(On if he’s starting to get into a groove individually) “Yeah, I’m always trying to play as hard
as I can. This is a blessing to be out on that field, and I take it with the utmost honor, and
just try to steward this blessing the best way I can.”
(On if he was holding his knee on the ground at the end of the game) “Yeah, under that pile,
a lot of people stepping on you, so I was just getting stepped on (laughs). I’m good though.”
LINEBACKER FOYE OLUOKUN
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
(On how he feels after the loss) “I feel like we lost a battle, good battle, good fight but you
want to come out on top. So, how do I feel? Pretty upset. Got to find a way to win these
close games. Same message all the way through the game, even when it gets close, low-
scoring games, there’s little plays you’ve got to win that we didn’t win in order to help our
team win. So, we’ve got to find that all the way through the game.”
(On how practice was leading up to the game) “Always good energy, that’s why I give a lot of
credit to this team. Always get back to the drawing board, get back to the practice field, we
practice very hard. We practice with good energy, practice with positivity. Just all the stuff
that we practice, have that confidence to have it come into fruition. Keep our heads up,
keep our foot on the pedal and let’s get better.”
(On how he felt about the turnovers in today’s game) “Yeah, they come in bunches for sure.
Definitely felt good to get in the turnover column, but we have to get another one. We didn’t
win that game, so go back, see where we could’ve done even better out there. I’m happy we
got turnovers for sure, so keep doing that, but let’s find out where we could’ve gotten
another one.”
(On not allowing the Vikings to score a touchdown) “Yeah, there were a lot of long drives
they had, extended drives. Kept them on the field and we’ve got to do a better job of getting
off on third downs. I think if you get the ball back to your offense in better field position,
you’re going to help them out. That’s our job and we’ve got to see how we do our job better.
No moral victories, I mean they didn’t score a touchdown, but we didn’t do exactly what we
needed to do to win the game.”
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN MITCH MORSE
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
(On his overall thoughts following the game) “I thought the defense played incredible football.
On offense, we didn’t do them any favors. Put that on us, put that on me. Now is when
hopefully we stay together as a team. That’s all we can do.”
(On how practice was this week with QB Mac Jones as the starting quarterback) “I thought it
was fluid. He brings an energy about him, and we worked hard this week.”
HEAD COACH KEVIN O’CONNELL
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
(Opening Statement) “Only real injury update, RB Aaron Jones was just evaluated for some ribs,
but did return. He took a hit right there and was able to tough it out and come back. Really
resilient team win. Cannot say enough about our defense, the way they battled after time and
time again answering the call, getting the ball back in the second half. Clearly tons of time of
possession, tons of yards. We moved it. But not good enough offensively if we’re not scoring
points. Even then to turn it over the way we did, we’ve got to find a way to execute and find a
way to end the ball with the possession in our hands and the snap with the possession in our
hands. I know we will rectify that problem and go back to putting points on the board when we
get down there. Just looking at—It’s interesting, I don’t know if I’ve been a part of one of these
stats line-wise, that time of possession, 82 plays getting that many run attempts off. But I was
proud of the way the guys just kept playing. Defense picked them up and then Park [K John
Parker Romo] shows up on Tuesday with [LS Jake] McQuaide, and P Ryan Wright had a couple
of nice holds in there as well, it looked like, from the blind’s eye. So, execution of the team
around, when you don’t have the performance that you want in any other aspect of your team,
that’s a team win. These guys can have a lot of confidence moving forward from that—getting
that win here today.”
(On QB Sam Darnold’s performance today) Yeah, I think the first interception, the ball gets
tipped off. We’re trying to throw WR Justin [Jefferson] a slant. Defender does a nice job not
letting him in there. Maybe— I just think there’s times his confidence in guys is maximum to
take some chances on some of those close plays. But listen, we’re able to – QB Sam [Darnold]
made a lot of plays too, ran the offense, got us in and out of some plays, into the right runs.
Execution was really going to come down to those three plays when you look at the whole day.
Really, I thought the second –the last two interceptions were more so him just trying to make a
play, and he’s a competitive guy. But when you’re in the scoring zone, I think one of them was
on a second down and then we had one on a third down and a little bit further out. As space
shrinks, you have to anticipate and put the ball in a place where you want to, or you’ve got to
protect the football and progress the rhythm, and he knows that. We’ll go back to just
emphasizing those things throughout, but I did think you can’t have 400 yards of offense
without your quarterback moving the ball and making some throws and plays and running the
show. So, we can improve as an offense. It starts with me. I’ll find a way to make sure we’re
able to execute some plays without turning the football over and activate our playmakers and
rely on our team to continue to find whatever ways we need to win a game. Proud of our guys.
7-2 with a day kind of feeling like that. Those are the types of games that good teams find a way
to win regardless of what it looks like all day, and I’m proud of that. But absolutely a lot of
things we need to correct and fix.”
(On QB Sam Darnold squeezing or clenching his hand) “Yeah, I think it was on the return of the
interception. [He] had a little soreness in there for a second. Tyler [Williams, VP of Player Health
and Performance] checked him out. But he returned and didn’t miss a snap.”
(On whether he felt QB Sam Darnold’s confidence wane at all today) “No, I didn’t. And I think
we— it was one of those days. I mean, 90+ shell coverage, it’s just not going to give you a
chance to really –If you’re taking chances down the field over and over and over again, bad
things are going to happen because they’re just putting a roof on it. That’s why we were able to
get that many rush attempts off. Tight ends leading us in receptions because there’s a lot of
space in the middle of the field, but when you throw the ball in the middle of the field—we had
J.A. [WR Jordan Addison], I thought on one on the two-minute drive where I’d like to see that
hit for a drive, start a chunk. Had some other opportunities down the middle, and we were just
a little off, or good little read routes underneath or whatever it is. But they weren’t going to
allow us to have a lot of success just throwing the ball to WR Jordan [Addison] and WR Justin
[Jefferson] and trying to find ways to activate some things to get them going. I thought Jordan
made an unbelievable catch there early in the second half, trying to get him some touches to
get him going a little bit. Then I thought there were some other guys that made some really
nice catches, some good run after catch with some space out there. Just picking each other up
all day long. QB Sam Darnold has played a lot of football at a really high level this year. Huge
reason why we’re 7-2. Looking back on it, this could be a critical moment that we all kind of
absorb and understand we’re still 100 percent confident in Sam. It would be craziness not to be.
But at the same time, a great opportunity to figure out exactly, as we after action, exactly what
happened. As coaches and players, put it together in a way where we’ll be able to use this as a
very healthy win to also improve.”
(On how he coaches QB Sam Darnold on split-second decisions) “Yeah, that’s why this position
is so hard because you’re asking a guy to be aggressive, feet and eyes. First and foremost,
you’ve got to unpack all the fundamentals and techniques. Where were your eyes? Where were
your feet? Protection, what did that look and feel like to you? Did you get sped up by
something? Otherwise continuing to—I thought there were good examples of him checking the
ball down, finding RB Aaron [Jones] on one, finding the underneath coverage, seeing that
underneath coverage, get some depth, and really try to put that lid over us. I thought we did
have a chance to WR Jordan [Addison] down the field. Got to go back and look at that throw
there. Felt like we had a little bit more grass, maybe inside, out and front. But that was really
the best way we could to try to get over the top of them, and ended up being a play where I
think they called the hands to the face on WR Justin [Jefferson] for that. Keep finding ways to
get the ball down the field, attack the areas that defenses are allowing to have us to attack,
and get the rushing attempts off if it’s going to be close to 100 percent split safety game.”
(On whether there was a moment he’s doubted QB Sam Darnold) “Not one. Not one all day
long. In fact, I was looking at it as a great opportunity to see growth and continue to move the
team. We’re going to check back in on this moment and use it the right way, and Sam is going
to be better off for it. I truly do believe that.”
(On what went into the conversations to bring more defensive pressure after the first few
drives) “I think Flo [Defensive Coordinator Brian Flores] and his staff did a great job really kind
of tightening up the game plan after that drive. Yeah, my only –I have to be— especially in a
game where we’re getting 100 percent shell on the other side, half the time the reaction is just
send them, Flo, send them all, and I’ve got to be careful about that because—. I just let him call
his game and do his thing. Because it does get like that sometimes. My confidence in those guys
when we do send them, as you can tell, is pretty sky high. Yeah, I just thought in general the
way he used it, the way he used the looks and causing some confusion there, still getting our
DBs in space. I thought there were some unbelievable defensive performances. Murph [CB
Byron Murphy] with a pick in the third game in a row, RB Cam [Akers] tracking that last one,
kind of off of a pressure look and being visual to be able to go get that ball. H.P.[DL Harrison
Phillips] getting the fumble recovery there. Then there were sacks by Gink [OLB Andrew Van
Ginkel]. I felt J.G. [OLB Jonathan Greenard], I felt Cash [LB Blake Cashman] and I.P. [LB Ivan
Pace] back in there again. It was really good and we needed it. We needed it to win a game like
that with that kind of imbalance in yardage and time of possession, doubling the amount of
plays that they had. So, we needed that.”
(On LB Blake Cashman’s returning impact on the defense) I thought it was big. Blake’s – there’s
a reason I went and got him. He’s been having a great year. Getting back to I.P. [LB Ivan Pace]
and Blake and those safeties in front, felt really good to have that group back together. Give a
lot of credit to him too for working his way back, too.”
(On how being aggressive in the passing game is tied toward the importance of explosive plays)
“I think scoring becomes easier on any drive when you can generate an explosive. We’ve got a
lot of ways to do it, a lot of players capable of doing it. I think we had — I’m not quite sure the
number, the amount of drives we had, over ten plays. It felt like we were driving the football
pretty consistently all day and just would get down to the scoring zone and either have one of
those turnovers happen or just not finish it out the way we needed to. I thought as the game
went on, any time you’re calling the plays and kind of trying to play through the quarterback
but also knowing you’ve got a defense playing the way we are, special teams with Park putting
points on the board, you know this is going to be a game that you’re going to have a chance to
get the lead. It might not be the prettiest of leads. It might not be one we’ll hang up in the
offensive unit room, but it will definitely be one that as a team I think we can — we’re learning
we can win a lot of different ways, especially when one phase picks up the other or two phases
pick up the third in regards to how we need to win.”
(On the luxury of having TE T.J. Hockenson for third downs) “Some of those third downs, there’s
a reason he’s catching it underneath the coverage. There’s a lot of attention going to 18 and 3
and [TE] T.J. [Hockenson] having him back. I thought there was an explosive there too among
the end cut there when he got one-on-one coverage in man, with split safety defense all
dedicated to [WR] Justin [Jefferson] and we were able to bring Justin to his side and activate,
that’s really — you guys have heard me talk about that, probably on and off the record, of just
T.J. with Justin away from the passing strength and what that means in a critical moment like
that. Because that’s one of the ways where maybe you didn’t even have the play up, which was
not necessarily a huddle call type play, but you’re just trying to find ways of accessing the points
of the field that you want to while also mitigating risk, knowing that you’ve turned it over a few
times.”
(On late third and one with RB Aaron Jones Sr.) “They were starting to — in their four-minute
defense, they were starting to really load up there so that the chances of, we just didn’t get
great execution on the play, had that guy go inside of the tight end. We really should have kind
of a full turn kind of where we can cut that guy’s legs down and simulate guys firing off and try
to get an easy one. Just thinking that you could feel a little bit of the desperation starting to
show up from a standpoint of committing defenders to the line of scrimmage, so didn’t want to
take a sack or things like that. In fact, I believe it was our first one all day. I think the line
protected pretty well for the most part considering those edge rushers and things. But, yeah, I
wanted to — if we’re going to get single high or potentially no safety back there, see if we can
pop one there for even a walk-off, but they were able to get immediate pressure and kind of
executed a little bit better.”
(On medical evaluation of RB Aaron Jones Sr.) “Yeah, I’m sure he’ll get checked out. Tough
player, but he was able to kind of get his wind back. It was one of those things, and once he was
able to go, he was itching to get back in there.”
(On how important it was to have Kicker Will Reichard for the game) “He was huge. We had
Park – we had [K John] Parker Romo with our team before we drafted Will Reichard. Had a lot
of confidence through the early part of that kind-of off-season program was about two weeks
old at that point when we pulled Will’s card in the draft and we had confidence. We were going
to let them compete, and they did. Will’s just been fantastic since he got here, and you can’t
carry two. But we always knew, and when I let Park go, I said, you should be kicking in the NFL
this year with your talent and the confidence that I have with you. We were just lucky he was
available in that moment to go get him.”
QUARTERBACK SAM DARNOLD
POSTGAME MEDIA AVAILABILITY
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2024
(Opening Statement) “Obviously great job by, first and foremost, our whole team just getting a
win. (The) Jags are a tough team. Our defense, special teams, man, they stepped up today. I’ve
got to do a lot better job of taking care of the football. I think that’s obvious. And just being
situationally aware of kind of where we’re at on the field and first and second down, like just
being able to put the ball in play and let our guys go run with it. I thought I could have done a
lot better job of that today, but we’ll just look at the tape and learn from it that way.”
(On how the Jaguars shell coverage affected them early) “Just got to continue to stay patient in
those moments when they’re playing shell coverage or they’re playing whatever type of shell
man they want to play. Just got to continue to be patient and take what they give me.”
(On if there was another spot he could have gone on his interceptions) “Yeah, I think in some of
those instances just being able to, you know, like the first one was a tough play. Ball gets tipped
up and then picked off by the linebacker. Then the last two, just like to have better ball location.
I think the one to Jets [Justin Jefferson] in the right corner, kind of giving him — if I am going to
throw it, give him a chance. If he doesn’t get the ball, have the ball hit the ground. We can’t put
the ball at risk, especially on second down like that. So, I’ve got to continue to manage those
situations and be better that way.”
(On if the interception toward the endzone was on decision making or the way he threw it)
“Yeah, it was not the place I wanted to put the ball. You with that, just got to continue to be
better and work on stuff like that.”
(On his process after an interception) “I think whenever you turn the ball over, especially during
the course of a game, you have to have a next play mentality. Being able to understand what
happened and just moving on. It’s as simple as that. When those things do happen in the course
of a game, I know — I have full faith that our defense is going to go out there and get a stop and
we’ll get the ball right back and go down and get a score. So that’s kind of my mindset when
things like that happen.”
(On how he balance the aggression of keep throwing after an interception) “Yeah, you’ve got to
— I think like I said, on first and second down, play smart football. Give our guys, if I am going to
try to thread the needle and make a tough throw, put it in the place where just our guy can
catch it. Then on third down, just being able to understand that in the red zone we do have
points. So just continue to understand situations during the flow of a game. We’ll just continue
to look at the tape and get better through those things.”
(On having T.J. Hockenson during the third down opportunities today) “Yeah, T.J. was great
today. Just his presence out there, being able to run the routes that he’s able to run, find kind of
those zones in there if they do want to play zone coverage on third down. T.J.’s a great football
player, and I’m happy to have him back.”
(On squeezing his hand after one interception if he injured it) “Yeah, hand felt good, good
enough to be able to finish it. It feels pretty good right now.”
(On if he is worried about the hand moving forward) “No, I’m not worried about it.”
(On having the defense help them despite the offense not having their best day) “Yeah,
hopefully we don’t have to do that every single game, but it’s awesome to be able to have a
defense like that, to be able to go out there and play the way that they do. I’ve said it ever since
April, ever since the spring. I understand the kind of players that we have over there, and it’s a
special group. I’m very fortunate to have them as teammates.”
(On the conversations he had with Justin Jefferson today trying to get him the ball) “I think the
biggest thing is some games are going to be different than others. I think it’s just about keeping
the energy and keeping — throughout the course of a game, all the ebbs and the flows, you just
got to continue to have a consistent mindset. I feel like as an entire offense, as a team, I feel like
we do a really good job with that of just being able to stay the course of a game and finish until
the last whistle.”
