Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (11.3.25)
Opening Statement:
“Okay, good work out there for the guys. Got some two-minute situations, had a seven-on-seven down in the red zone, had some install periods to work on things we identified over the bye week so, thought the guys handled today really well. Obviously, off tomorrow and then we’ll start, in earnest, on the (New York) Jets on Wednesday. I thought it was a really good bye week for everybody. I thought the players did a nice job, obviously taking care of their bodies, getting back here, refreshed, recharged. The coaches, I thought, did a really nice job over these last few days of looking at everything we’re doing offensively, defensively, special teams. So, we’ve identified a lot of things that we want to do better, a lot of areas where we feel like we can improve, areas where we feel like we can adapt and that’s where having this after eight games is important, where you can learn a lot from yourself and then get ready for a nine-game season, obviously with the first one coming up versus the Jets. Other thing – on play-calling, I’m going to have Tommy (Rees) call the plays on offense. These are things that I’m always looking at, what can we do better? I have a ton of trust and faith in Tommy. He’s more than capable, so excited for him, but bottom line is we have to just get better, collectively – so that’s offense, that’s defense, that’s special teams, that’s players, that’s coaches. So, that’s our charge and that’s what we’re working hard to do. But with that I’ll take any questions.”
What led to that decision, Kevin (Stefanski), to turn over play-calling?
“Yeah, I look at everything, Jeff (Schudel), every week. Certainly, the bye week gives you an opportunity to look at everything and bottom line is we have to better – we have to better in a lot of facets on the offensive side, and I just felt like Tommy is somebody that I believe in. Obviously hired him here a couple years back because I really believe in Tommy as a coach, and he’s done everything that we’ve asked and I just feel like this is the right time for this.”
What do you think he might bring to the table or what different spin or set of eyes might he give you?
“Well, it’s similar to how we talk about, it’s never about one person. So, whether you’re talking about a player or a coach, it’s not about one person. But, obviously I think Tommy’s going to be himself, and that’s what I’m asking him to do. And I’ll be there every step of the way to help him in any way I can, like you should with any play-caller. But, bottom line is he understands what we need to do, which is stay on the field and score some points.”
And will he be upstairs or downstairs?
“Yeah, we haven’t talked through it exactly.”
Kevin, is that the only change you see making? Will quarterback remain the same for this game?
“Yes.”
And before the (New England) Patriots game, Rees talked about how you’ve got to make (Dillon) Gabriel comfortable to throw the ball downfield, and yet it got worse in the New England game. So, what’s the problem? Why can’t he throw the ball to the wide receivers?
“I’d say that’s something, Tony (Grossi), that we just have to be better collectively. That’s us putting our quarterback in positions where those opportunities exist, that’s us putting our receivers in positions where they can be open – whether it’s down the field, intermediate, you name it. That’s something that we all need to do better at.”
You talked about looking at everything and other changes. Are there other changes that you’re going to make?
“Specifically to?”
I guess personnel would be the first thing.
“I think it’s our job to make sure when it comes to personnel, obviously just making sure everybody’s in the right place at the right time, so to speak, Scott (Petrak). But nothing notable to comment on right now.”
As you go to Tommy, you guys have the same plays, right? So how can that change? Are there going to be more x-runs, you know what I mean?
“Yeah, I think the bigger picture for us is, as we looked at this week, what do we feel like we can do well? What are the things that we need to lean into? What are the things that we haven’t been very good at and we need to move on from those areas? And there’s plenty of football, to your point about the playbook, there’s plenty of plays – we just got to make sure that we’re leaning into the stuff that best fits our players.”
Kevin, you did this last year also. What did you gain from that experience that you can use this year and what’s different this time around compared to last year?
“I’m so focused on this season and where we are, Chris (Easterling), and I’m just trying to do whatever I think is best for our football team in this case, but I’m really focused on this year.”
And was it entirely your decision?
“Yes.”
Kevin, you start the 21-day clock on Cedric Tillman today, just how close is he and what did you see from him?
“Yeah, I thought Ced looks really good. I think he’s worked very hard in his rehab, so it looks like he’ll be good to go, barring anything coming up this week.”
What is the update on Shedeur (Sanders)? He was not out there.
“Yeah, still dealing with the back injury, but getting better.”
Kevin, trade deadline obviously coming up tomorrow. 2-6 on the season, sometimes it creates some, you know, different things in locker rooms and conversations and outside noise. Do you even have to have conversations at all with the team about that or is it just kind of like a business decision?
“I really believe our guys are professionals. There’s a lot that goes on in the business of football that we don’t control, so we kind of keep our focus on what’s in front of us.”
Kevin, do you mind, being the in-season spokesperson for the team? Like without Andrew (Berry) coming out to talk to us – a lot was made of that over the bye week that, you know, maybe too much was put on you to explain trades or moves or things like that. How do you feel about that?
“I don’t mind.”
Why wasn’t Isaiah Bond at practice?
“Dealing with an injury. But I’ll update you guys as the week goes on.”
Was it an injury from the New England game?
“Yes.”
Was (David) Njoku out there?
“Yes. How’d you miss him, Tony (Grossi)?”
Do you think this receiving corps could use a boost with the trade deadline here? Is that something that you consider a priority?
“Yeah, I like our guys. I like the skill sets we have with that group. Obviously, Andrew and our personnel department looks at everything and that’s no different than the other 31 teams. I think it’s important that you’re constantly looking around the league, but I like our guys.”
What’s not translating to that group from maybe what you’re seeing in meetings and practice to game days?
“We just, I mean, it kind of goes back to the previous point where we just need to do better, Chris (Easterling), in a bunch of different areas. Obviously, there’s production that we’re going to be looking for from that department, but we have to better in a lot of areas.”
Do you think having Ced (Cedric Tillman) out there, like, can help open things up for Jerry (Jeudy)? Like has Jerry missed having Ced out there with him, basically.
“Obviously, Ced’s a good player. He’s made a lot of plays for us over his career, so it would be a big boost if we can get him out there.”
For the record, has (Deshaun) Watson been cleared to practice yet?
“Yeah, I don’t believe that’s happening this week. No update, but doing a good job.”
When you get these guys back together this week, Kevin, after they’re gone for the bye, like, what’s your message? You’re 2-6, you have nine games left. Is there an overriding message you have for them?
“Yeah, obviously, keep a lot of that internal. But it’s, as you know, it’s important that we focus on what’s in front of us. Have a great opportunity this week, going to New York, and trying to play our best football. We have not played our best football, and that’s haven’t done it, as players, as coaches, offense, defense, special teams. We feel like there’s more for us to give, and that’s where we’re focused on.”
Since you and Tommy are so closely aligned and have worked so closely together on everything, setting up the game plans and everything. I mean, do you think that I guess that he will have the confidence to put his own spin on this offense?
“Without a doubt. And I think it’s important, Mary Kay (Cabot), that those meetings and the discussion that happens Monday through Saturday is as important as the order in which those plays come off on Sunday. So, I just think all of us as coaches on all sides of the ball, but in this case, offense, we have to do our job. We have to do our job putting our guys in positions to succeed, and then it’s an opportunity on Sundays to go execute. But I think it’s very important what we do during the week in putting a plan together that our guys are confident in, that’s really important.”
Kevin, I understand that you have to defend your own roster, but when you see what Joe Flacco is doing down there in Cincinnati, even if you’re not watching the game, throwing touchdown passes all over the field to (Ja’Marr) Chase. What do you think? I mean he couldn’t put those numbers up with the receivers you have here?
“Yeah, I don’t really have a comment on Joe or any players not on the team, so I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
But I’m just saying the results are so contrasting.
“Yeah, I understand the question, but I really don’t have a comment.”
Did you identify any ways, anything different that you can do to try to get Jerry Jeudy more involved in your offense?
“Without a doubt. And that’s obviously like we talked about last week, Mary Kay. That’s important for us. He’s our best wide receiver. We believe in him. We have to do a better job, and that’s what we’ll do.”
Kevin, saw Quinshon (Judkins) out there. Do you feel confident the shoulder won’t be an issue?
“Yeah, I do. I feel good about it.”
And Tyson (Campbell) cleared the protocol?
“Yeah, I don’t know if he’s completely cleared, but he’s hit every benchmark.”
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