Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (8.26.25)
Kevin, the decision on Dustin (Hopkins). What did that ultimately come down to? When did you guys sort of make that decision?
“Yeah, first of all, these are tough decisions. They’re not easy, and we work through these with a lot of information. And in this case, Andre (Szmyt) has done a really nice job. He really won that job by being very consistent. Dustin’s (Hopkins) somebody that I really admire as a person, admire as a player. Doesn’t change any of that, how I feel about him, but really felt good about the work that Andre’s (Szmyt) put into this camp and really going all the way back to the spring.”
I know it was a whole body of work for him, but how important was that last field goal?
“Yeah, I think all of it matters, Tony (Grossi). Obviously, it’s hard to replicate a game winner, as you know, so it all matters. I think the big thing about these decisions is these are ongoing evaluations that we try to take in as much information as possible, and that’s going back to work that we did in the spring, work that we certainly did in the summer. But to your point, those are moments in football games and where you want to come through for your team and Andre (Szmyt) did.”
What about Andre (Szmyt)? Just the fact that he’s never kicked in an NFL game, like how do you go about evaluating that body work when you don’t have that film?
“Until you’ve done something, you haven’t done it, that type of thing. So have a ton of confidence in him. He’s a young man that’s been through a lot, and we trust him.”
Now, in retrospect, how important was it for you to set that up? The (Tyler) Huntley thing, and then to set up that pressure?
“Yeah, I wish I was that talented, Tony (Grossi). Yeah, I guess it goes back to this is a evaluation that is ongoing. It encompasses a lot of things.”
Kevin, what went into the trade for Kenny Pickett, and what does that maybe say about the faith that you have in your two rookie quarterbacks to back up Joe (Flacco) this year?
“You know, honestly, those types of things, you can’t predict them. And got a strong offer for Kenny (Pickett). Kenny’s (Pickett) a guy I think very highly of, and so do they. So, I wish him well. He’s a great person. He’s a really good football player, but those are the type of decisions that you have to make.”
And have you made a decision on who will back up Joe (Flacco)?
“Dillon (Gabriel) will be the backup.”
Do you have any regret? Regret might be the wrong word, but Kenny (Pickett) didn’t really get a chance because of that injury.
“Yes. Definitely disappointed for Kenny (Pickett) in that he was out for all that time. Like I told you guys, he performed well prior to that, remained engaged all throughout that. So disappointed for him, but he’s somebody that I think very highly of.”
Could you reassure your fans there will be more than two running backs on this team?
“There will be more than two running backs on this team.”
Kevin, with the decision to trade Kenny, how much of that was impacted by Dillon giving you the trust that he can be one step away when he gets into the regular season?
“I think you factor in everything, Scott (Petrak), truly. You look at it from a bunch of different angles. So certainly, we made the decision and feel comfortable with Dillon (Gabriel) serving that role.”
We saw Mike Hall (Jr.) passed his physical. What does that mean and when can we start seeing him on the field?
“I don’t know the exact day that he’s going to be back out here. I mean, he’s doing great. I got to watch him work out yesterday. He looks really good. He’s right where he needs to be, and he’s worked extremely hard in this rehab. So I’m excited about where he is and we’ll see where he is as the next couple days unfold.”
I know it’s a body of work for Dillon going all the way back to when you first got him here, but did that two-minute drive at the end of that game sort of convince you that you guys could part ways with Kenny (Pickett)?
“You know, it kind of goes back to the previous discussion. It’s such an all-encompassing evaluation. So, everything the guys did in the games was important. We also saw a lot of them out here in practice and how they are at their craft. And he’s certainly somebody that we think is getting better and better.”
I know you’re in the business of winning games, not so much in the feel-good stories, but you have one in Gage (Larvadain) in the way he was able to make this team. What have you seen from him and what does it say about him and also the organization that this guy is able to make an NFL 53 (man roster)?
“I think there’s examples every year and Gage is certainly a great example of guys that come in and aren’t as highly touted, and you’re undrafted sometimes or you’re at a tryout sometimes, and there’s guys that have been through different things in their collegiate career. The beauty of this sport is that you get guys here and they make plays, and you can watch a guy develop, and he’s somebody, really from the jump, that has made plays in every practice and every game. So, we’re excited for him. He’s a quiet kid, works very, very, very hard. Diligent about getting better. So, those are the type of kids that you’re rooting for.”
Is there a skill, Kevin, you as a coach and your staff, to not overlook a guy like that (Gage Larvadain) when you have 90 guys in camp?
“I don’t know about skill. I think for me, Jeff (Schudel), there’s so much practice time. There’s so many meetings, there’s so many times to evaluate our players, and sometimes when you see a guy that shows up and continues to make plays, it cements, maybe, your evaluation of the player.”
Kevin, how did the fact that Deshaun Watson is coming along really well in his rehab factor into you guys feeling comfortable with letting Kenny go?
“Yeah, I wouldn’t comment to say that Mary Kay (Cabot). Deshaun’s doing awesome, he’s doing great. I’m excited for him. I get to watch him work out as well. I get to be in the meeting room with him every single day. So, he’s doing great.”
Kevin, how much say or influence do you have with the practice squad, like do you tell Andrew (Berry), two running backs, I need two tackles…
“I mean, we see it very similarly, Tony (Grossi). We have those conversations of what do we feel like we need to have the best practice squad, where you can get your work done on the field, but also you have developmental guys. So, we’re in lockstep on that.”
Kevin, how big is this gap week between the end of the preseason and the start of the regular season, just to allow guys like Ethan (Pocic) or Blake (Whiteheart) or Mike (Hall Jr.) to have an opportunity to heal without the pressure of having the immediacy of a game coming up?
“Obviously having this week and then going into the weekend with the time off is helpful with injuries and guys getting fresh over the weekend. But we view this week as an opportunity for us to get sharp as a football team, and that’s in our scheme, that’s in our techniques, that’s in our fundamentals. So, the guys are working very hard yesterday, today we’ll have a couple more days out here this week. So, this is a big week for your football team when you’re getting ready for a 17-plus season.”
We talked about Adin (Huntington) and Gage earlier. What stood out about Easton (Mascarenas-Arnold), Dom (Jones) and Donovan (McMillon), a couple other undrafted guys that were able to stick out enough to make it?
“Scott (Petrak), it’s been a really impressive rookie class, in terms of their preparedness, their professionalism. Each one of those guys kind of represents that they’ve, from the jump, been about their business, have been trustworthy. We’ve put them in some tough spots, and they’ve responded. So, it’s an impressive group in that regard.”
Given Szmyt’s inexperience, do you think it’d be wise to bring up a practice squad kicker?
“Working through all of those things.”
What about Diontae (Johnson)? Was he someone that was a tough decision for you guys, considering he was a Pro Bowl receiver?
“They’re all tough decisions. I really like Tae (Diontae). I was impressed with the work that he put in. These are tough decisions. These are not easy decisions.”
I didn’t see Shelby (Harris) out there, does he have an injury?
“He’s out here.”
Today?
“Yeah.”
Is the expectation that Dylan Sampson will be your starting running back going into week one?
“We’ll see. Yeah, I like the group we’ve got.”
Is there any update on Quinshon Judkins?
“No update.”
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