Transcript: QB Daniel Jones

QB Daniel Jones

December 23, 2020

Q: How much do you really want to play in this kind of crucial game?
A: Yeah, I’m doing everything I can to get back out there. Every week you want to play. I did all I could last week, and that’s certainly my approach this week. I’m working as hard as I can. I really do want to be out there with the guys and go after a win on Sunday.

Q: Do you feel you’re closer in your mind?
A: Yeah, I think I’m closer every day and feeling better every day. I’m just trying to heal up as fast as I can. I am feeling better and need to keep doing what I’m asked to do, doing what I’m supposed to do, working with the trainers and making sure I keep going in that direction.

Q: Are the injuries limiting you still in any way? What do you need to see from yourself on the field to feel like you really can go out there and be yourself?
A: From my perspective, my approach every day is to do what they’re asking me to do. I don’t know about evaluating what I can and can’t do. I’m going to do everything I can and let people guide me and control the rehab program as far as what I’m allowed to do and how hard I push it. My job is to work as hard as I possibly can, and do everything I feel like I can do.

Q: Are you pretty certain that if they give you the green light for Sunday, you will be more capable of doing things athletically than you did against the Cardinals?
A: I’m further from that hamstring injury and I’ve continued to improve every day. I’m feeling better, feeling better this week. Like I said, my focus is to keep improving that way and to continue to progress through the program that the trainers and doctors have laid out for me.

Q: Is the newer injury, the ankle, is that still a factor?
A: I’m still rehabbing and working through that also, and that’s feeling much better, too. Yeah, just need to stay on it, stay on top of it and keep working with those guys.

Q: How much better do you think your chances are of playing this week with where you’re at physically? Last week when we saw you, you weren’t taking the first team snaps. This week, it looked like you were kind of back in that position and in a better spot, I should say, to start this week.
A: That’s up to Coach Judge and the trainers and the doctors. They’ll make that decision this week. Like I said, I feel like I’m improving. Obviously, I wanted to play last week. My job is to focus on my rehab, focus on working with those trainers and letting them make that decision, and obviously being open and honest with how I feel and making sure I’m communicating with them well. That’s my job, to take it day by day, and make sure I’m improving.

Q: In a bigger picture look at things, Joe said today that ‘Daniel Jones is our quarterback for next year.’ What does it mean to you that the organization still, you had to impress a new regime here this year, that the organization still has that trust in you?
A: I’ve learned a ton from Coach Judge and enjoyed working with him. My job is to earn it every day, and that’s the approach that you have to take in this league. Come in every single day, earn your job, work hard, do what you’re asked to do, improve as a player every day, and that’s what I’m focused on. I’ll continue to do that. My focus is on this week, making sure we are as well prepared we can be for Sunday against Baltimore.

Q: What has this season been like for you, because obviously last year, you were going through everything for the first time? What have you learned this year and what do you feel like you still need to get better at?
A: I think I’ve learned a lot. Throughout this year, we’ve played in a lot of tight games. We haven’t finished some and found ways to win some of them also. You look at those games, in the games we’ve won, we’ve protected the ball better. I think at times, particularly early in the year, I felt like I was pressing to make a play when it wasn’t there. Learning when it’s not there, when the best decision is to protect the ball and make sure you’re controlling that. I’ve learned a lot through certain situations and situations we’ve played in in different games. We’re not done. We have two more games guaranteed. Our focus this week is on Baltimore and making sure we take care of business.

Q: How do you think Andrew Thomas has handled the rollercoaster of his rookie season? You went through it a little bit last year. Obviously, he struggled early, seemed like he got it, then allowed a lot of sacks the last game you played, then handled Myles Garrett. It seems like he’s been a little all over the place. Is that common for a rookie? How do you think he’s handled it?
A: I’ve been extremely impressed with how he’s handled it. That’s a tough position to step in and play in the NFL. You’re going up against a lot of the best athletes on the field in those pass rushers. You look at who he’s faced through the course of the year, and he’s faced a lot of good players. For any rookie, it is a little up and down. I think for any young player, you’re always learning and you’re always improving. I felt like that’s been his approach throughout this whole season. He’s learned every week, he’s continued to attack the practice, attack meetings. His learning process has been one he’s really attacked. He’s done a good job with that, and his approach every day has been the same. I’ve been impressed with him. I think he’s going to be a great player.