Head Coach Kevin Stefanski (8.28.25)
Opening Statement:
“Okay, really good day of work today, put a cap on this week, and then the guys are off Friday, Saturday, Sunday. We’ll be back in here Monday, working. So, really pleased with how the guys are working. Good job in the meeting rooms. Good job in the weight room. Good job out here. So got a lot of work done this week, which was key. Captains this year, as voted by the players, on offense, Joel Bitonio, Joe Flacco. On defense, Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, and special teams, Corey Bojorquez. So great honor for those guys. It always means something when your peers, when your teammates make those selections. But with that, I’ll take any questions.”
About having Bailey (Zappe) back here. What do you like about Bailey (Zappe)?
“Yeah, I got to spend a lot of time with Bailey (Zappe) last season. Really talented kid, fits him well, works very hard. So glad he’s back.”
Can you talk about the decision process of bringing Bailey (Zappe) back? Why exactly you wanted him back in the building?
“Yeah. A guy that we have been around, we trust. Good kid, works very hard.”
Who will be the emergency quarterback on game days?
“Shedeur (Sanders).”
What can you tell us about this new running back you got, Rocket (Raheim Sanders)?
“His nickname’s Rocket. So, we have a defensive Rocket and an offensive Rocket now. Runs hard, big kid, had a really good preseason on the tape. We did a lot of work on him when he was coming out. So really, really fits us both schematically and culturally.”
Kevin (Stefanski), is there any concerns that you have as many rookies on the 53-man (roster) as you guys do?
“I think in a vacuum, you’d say that, Scott (Petrak), but these guys are all mature kids. They work really hard. They keep the main thing, the main thing. So, I’ve really enjoyed watching them grow. They’re rookies, but they carry themselves as professionals.”
I know you say you’re about developing young players, but with that many rookies this year, does that take on a little additional meaning there because you have so many young guys that you want to get them reps, and you want develop them?
“I think, you know, we have young players, but we’re not just developing rookies. I think the mentality is that you’re developing all the players on your roster, certainly younger players. You’re helping them as they go through a week for the first time. So, you help them with their process. You help them with what tape to watch on a Tuesday and what drills to do post practice on a Thursday. So, a lot of that is teaching, but our mentality as an organization, as a coaching staff, certainly is to develop all of our players. That’s one of our jobs as coaches.”
Kevin, having a guy like Cole (Strange) on the practice squad, how valuable is that? Just because, starting experience especially with Ethan (Pocic) still coming back from that knee injury, what does he provide for this team?
“Like you mentioned, starting experience and a guy that, again, we did a lot of work on him when he was coming out, so know him really well. And I think it’s this point where you add guys to your team that you want to take a look at, continue their development.”
What have you seen with Corey’s (Bojorquez) leadership style and the way that he leads the special teams but the team as a whole?
“Yeah, I think that’s a great honor for Corey (Bojorquez). He’s a guy that I think our players know he works very hard at his craft. He’s somebody that is accountable to his teammates all the time. Great personality. But I think it says a lot when it’s your peers voting for him.”
Kevin, what has Jerome Baker added to that linebacker room, especially when you guys’ lost Jordan Hicks and JOK (Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah) is not able to play this year, but in terms of like a veteran presence?
“Yeah, Jerome’s done a great job. He’s very quiet, but he carries himself with a lot of confidence. He knows what to do, he moves really well. I’ve been really impressed with Jerome from the beginning, but he fits in really well with us.”
Do you see Zappe as insurance, just to have a quarterback familiar with your system in case? We know what’s happened with the last four years.
“Yeah, I think that’s right. I think you’ve got to make sure that room is strong in numbers. So, we like Bailey, what he brings, and being around him, know what he’s about. But that’s all it is.”
Saw Myles (Garrett) on the bike, is it a rest day or is he dealing with something?
“Rest day.”
We talked about that nickel spot with MJ (Martin Emerson Jr.) being out and Greg (Newsome II) moving outside. Is that something that you’ve got a starter locked down, or is it still an ongoing process?
“Yeah, we have a bunch of different ways we can go with that. Still working through.”
What have you seen over the years from Grant (Delpit) now? He’s kind of the leader in that room. So, what have you seen in his development, both as a leader and just as a player?
“Yeah, he’s a huge leader for this football team, and not just the defensive backs. I mean, his style of play is really how we operate, what we believe in. He brings the toughness to our football team, works extremely hard. So, just really pleased with what he brings on the field, but really, really pleased with what he brings off the field, too.”
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