Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (12.3.25)
Opening Statement:
“Okay, we’re going to activate Deshaun’s (Watson) practice window. So, he’ll be out there today, which is outstanding for Deshaun. He’s has been working so hard, rehabbing, so finally to get out there on the practice field with his teammates to go through individual, I think this is really great for him, so excited for him. His focus, my focus is obviously getting him back to playing football, practicing football, which he hasn’t done in over a year. So, it’s a good next step for him. But our focus obviously continues to remain on the Tennessee Titans, big game on Sunday at our place. Obviously, have to play our best, have to play complementary football, which is a big emphasis for us every week. Certainly, big emphasis for us this week to do all those things that you do in a football game to keep yourself ahead of it, if you will. So, we gotta do a great job, winning field position on special teams, taking the ball away on defense, getting stops, and offensively doing a nice job of taking care of ball and scoring points. So, with that, I’ll take any questions.”
Kevin, what was it that you saw, that you’ve seen out of Deshaun, the last couple weeks that made you guys determine this was the moment to open that window?
“Yeah, I think he’s been working so hard with the training staff and coming along, getting through all of his rehab. So, he’s cleared, ready to go to the practice portion of this. So that’s really what it is.”
Kevin, is it a desire of the organization to see him on the playing field if possible?
“Yeah, really not my focus. Not his focus, right this minute. His focus is putting a helmet on again for the first time, shoulder pads, throwing a football. That’s where the focus is, Tony (Grossi).”
Have you been told when he might be ready to play, physically be ready to play this season?
“Really not the focus for me, for him, for us. Our focus is activating this practice window, seeing him on the practice field, getting him into individual, those types of things. And I think, I want to point out he’s worked really hard to rehab from this. He’s done everything that’s asked of him. So, he’s been so supportive in the meeting room on the game field with the players. Now he gets to go do that on the practice field.”
What was his reaction, Kevin, when he was told this is happening?
“I think we, you know, there’s constant dialogue with the players, with the training staff, with AB (Andrew Berry). I know he’s excited to get back out there practicing with his teammates.”
Kevin, practice reps have been such a topic this year. How do you incorporate reps for him?
“Yeah, obviously he’ll just be getting some individual reps right now, just getting him going.”
Would the next step be scout team?
“Potentially, yeah.”
Specific to the Titans, Kevin, obviously you guys did your due diligence on Cam Ward during the pre-draft process. Just what do you see from him as a young quarterback in the state of challenges?
“Yeah, has a ton of talent, and you see it on tape. Some of the throws, the extended plays can really fit it into tight windows. Have a lot of respect for his mind and how he thinks about the game. So he presents quite the challenge.”
Kevin, the results for Cam and the Titans maybe haven’t shown in on field stats or even wins. But as someone who’s also coaching two rookie quarterbacks, what do you look for on a week-to-week basis to know that rookie quarterback is making progress even when the wins or the stats might not be showing that?
“I think it’s so specific, Daniel (Oyefusi), to the player. Don’t love to compare guys across that type of cross section …”
I just mean like broadly.
“Yeah. Other than to say with all rookies at every position, you’re looking for improvement week to week and definitely at the quarterback position.”
Specific to Cam, and kind of going back to the work you guys did in the pre-draft. Where have you seen specific improvements from what you saw of him back then on the film and everything to what you see when you watch him?
“Yeah, I have a lot of respect for the young man. He’s done a nice job to date. He can make every throw. I think it’s evident on tape.”
Kevin, the Titans have the best punt returner (Chimere Dike) in football this year. Will there be significant changes made on the coverage unit this week?
“They’re excellent on special teams, Tony (Grossi), just in general. Obviously, he’s a great returner. Speed, does it both – kick returner, punt returner. So, it’s quite a challenge for our units, period. So, not going to get into game plan specifics, but obviously have a ton of respect for their entire group.”
Kevin, what were those dealings with Cam Ward like? You spent a bunch of time with him leading up to draft. How well did you get to know him? What did you learn about him?
“I think every year you feel like you get to know a lot of guys, Scott (Petrak). You just think back to some of the conversations you have with guys. Man, I could go back to the combine conversations you had with guys that are now since retired. So, you always kind of develop relationships with players, and obviously last season we saw a bunch of players live and at their colleges and those types of things. But yeah, a ton of respect for the young man. Obviously, he’s a guy that is very talented, was drafted there for a reason.”
Kevin, with Cam, he’s been sacked 48 times – that’s the worst number in the league. Do you guys see some opportunities there with how your D-line has been playing across the board?
“Our guys keep the focus on doing their job. I mean, there’s a style to how we play, Ashley (Bastock), as you know. Just the DNA, and how we rush and how relentless we are, and I think that’s a mindset of the entire room.”
How has Deshaun been helpful to Shedeur (Sanders) and Dillon (Gabriel) in getting both of those guys ready to play?
“Yeah, just by being himself. And I’ve told you guys over the course of time, just in the meeting room, it’s fun to be in there with all those guys – Bailey (Zappe), Shedeur, Dillon, Coach (Bill) Mus(grave), Tommy (Rees). Everybody’s got a different perspective of this game, and I think having a guy like Deshaun in there who’s seen so much and has been through different situations and can provide great counsel to young quarterbacks, I just think that’s invaluable.”
You expressed a lot of confidence in (Gage) Larvadain on Monday, will he retain the punt returner?
“Yes.”
With (Wyatt) Teller out, you’re putting (Teven) Jenkins in there. Is there any consideration to seeing (Zak) Zinter?
“Yeah, we talk through all those types of things, Tony. There’s always things that we discuss throughout the week.”
With Maliek (Collins), obviously he’s done for the season. Would you expect to see more of Mike Hall (Jr.), and is he physically able to take on bigger workload coming off the surgery?
“I would expect that Mike continues to do more in these games and get more comfortable. And obviously with Maliek out, it’s not going to be one person that has to step up into that role, it’s really going to be everybody has to step their game up.”
But does Mike have any limitations?
“No.”
Kevin, with Jimmy (Haslam) at the owner’s meetings saying that the Deshaun trade was ‘a swing and a miss,’ do you think this represents any opportunity to try to salvage anything from that trade?
“Yeah, not my focus, Mary Kay (Cabot). Really just excited for him to be able to get back out there on the field. I think for any player, when you’re rehabbing, the next step, getting out there on the practice field is a big step. So, I’m excited for him.”
Deshaun has been working with Shedeur. The fact that now he’s going to be on the practice field, do you think that can benefit Shedeur even more, now that Deshaun will actually be on the field with him?
“Without a doubt. I think just going back to earlier, Daryl (Ruiter) is…Shedeur’s been outstanding in the meeting room with Deshaun – Deshaun’s been outstanding with all those guys. So, it’s really an impressive group that helps each other. So, I think having Deshaun out there will be great for Shedeur, I think it’s great for Dillon. Bailey obviously is a guy that provides great value to us. So, just having all those guys on the field, I think, is beneficial.”
After reviewing the film, I know this is more of a Monday question, but regardless of what the score of the game was, did you feel Shedeur had a step back from his first game?
“No.”
With Devin Bush and Isaiah McGuire not expected to practice, do you think there’s a chance they play on Sunday?
“I’m hopeful, but with any injury, you got to see how it goes throughout the week.”
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