T Jack Conklin (12.26.22)
On confidence that not accomplishing the team’s goals for the 2022 season is ‘a blip’ and that the Browns can turn things around quickly:
“We have two more games. That is the most important thing. It is getting everything synced. Having Deshaun back and we have made some changes with how we are running things, it is important that even though the playoffs are out of the picture we still have a lot to work on and there is a lot that we need to get figured out and hammered down for next year. We are looking at it one game at a time. There is a lot of work for us to do, and we are ready for it.”
On the importance of signing a contract extension with the Browns and not going through the free-agency process in March:
“Really, this is home for us. This is where we want to raise our kids. When it came down to it, we didn’t really want to have to go to free agency and take the chance of having to move. I love this organization, this town and the fans. My family feels at home here. This really, exactly like you said, is where we want to make our home forever, and I am happy I get to be here for the next four years and keep on playing for the Browns.”
On confidence his knee will be even better next year, understanding he previously shared that he doesn’t think about the knee injury now:
“Definitely. Definitely. It will definitely be even better. That is for sure. I will be able to strengthen it more. Instead of having an offseason of rehabbing and just getting it to work again, it will be a whole offseason of strengthening it from a healthy standpoint, getting it even stronger and being able to do lifts, workouts and runs that I wasn’t able to do this whole offseason and be able to have that going into the year, which will definitely be very helpful.”
On the disappointment of not reaching the postseason the past two seasons after going to the playoffs in his first year with the Browns:
“It is extremely frustrating. We play this game to go to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl. Not having that chance the last two years is frustrating, and I think we really need to take a look at ourselves and figure out what we can do better at and what we are good at and move forward with those things and really just come together as a team. Be able to have our full team together in this next offseason is going to be huge. Really, the most important thing is the next two games. Looking at it, we can’t go into the dumps and leave these out here. These are two games where we can get better as a team and figure out how to be a better team.”
On the significance of having consistency with personnel on the Browns OL:
“I think it is huge. Anytime you can keep a group together like that for multiple years, just stay in the same system and just keep on learning and learning about each other and how each other works, it plays a huge role in more cohesion as an offensive line. That is the most important thing for offensive linemen is cohesion. If one of us is off in a play, then the play is screwed up. We have to be able to work together as a group of five and commit to that. That is when big plays will happen.”
On how T Jedrick Wills Jr. has progressed this season:
“It has been great to see Jed grow as a player. He came in at 20 years old, and that is tough. I can’t imagine stepping into the NFL at that age and having the maturity to be a professional. To watch him grow as a player and as a person, it has been impressive. I am happy for him that he has been healthy this year and been able to play at a good level. I am excited to see how much more he grows in the next year to come.”
On the Browns offense being based on the running game and if members of the Browns OL ‘get as frustrated as the rest of us when throwing 31 times on a day like that’ last week:
“We don’t call the plays. We just do our job. Whatever play is called, we have to be prepared to run that play. When we have a quarterback like Deshaun and good receivers, we have to be able to hold our protection. That is our job. We look at ourselves as hard-working guys, and whatever is called, we have to be able to do the job. We have to do a better job of that going forward. I don’t think we did a good enough job last week. We can get back and do better as a player, and we can do better as a group.”
On if Browns coaches put the players in the best position to win last week, given the coaches often say that is their responsibility:
“I trust our play calling and I trust our coaches to make the right calls. That is it.”
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