Wide Receiver Jalin Hyatt
Q: Did you really say 'throw it to me or trade me' or whatever it was?
JALIN HYATT: I didn't say that. I don't know where that came from, but that's false. I love being here. (Senior Vice President and General Manager) Joe (Schoen), (Head Coach Brian Daboll) Dabs, I got so much respect for trading up for me and getting me. So, whatever that rumor was, it's not true at all.
Q: Does that kind of make angry when you hear reports like that?
JALIN HYATT: Yeah, I mean it does. It's false reports. I never said anything about being traded or going somewhere else, especially not in the summer. So, my focus now is just getting better for this team, being ready for my opportunity. But as far as trades and rumors of that, it was not true.
Q: Were you surprised when you heard it?
JALIN HYATT: Yeah, I was surprised. It came out of nowhere about trades. We didn't discuss any of that or I didn't have any communication about that with Dabs or Joe or any of that. So, I really don't know where that came from.
Q: I think the way it was characterized was that you yelled it out at practice?
JALIN HYATT: Like I said, I don't even know when or when that could've happened. I didn't say anything about any trades or wanted to be somewhere or not getting this, not getting that. Like I said, my focus is on this team, what we got to do, how we got to get better. And our focus is on Cleveland.
Q: Are you saying there's just no truth in this? Caught you completely off guard? You didn't know it was coming?
JALIN HYATT: Yeah, I didn't know it was coming at all. Like I said, this is a big surprise to me. I love being here. This is a great team, great organization. Like I said before, Dabs and Joe, I have so much respect for trading up for me and getting me in the draft. So as far as trades and all that is, it's not true at all.
Q: Do you find this whole thing just silly?
JALIN HYATT: Yeah, I feel like it's a fake story. I feel like it's somebody's out to get me or something. I didn't say anything about not wanting to be here. Like I said, I love it here. And we're doing the right things, right steps to get to where we want to get to as a team. And that's my focus.
Q: Are you frustrated with your lack of playing time?
JALIN HYATT: I'm a competitor. I want to be out there. I want to play. And the coaching staff knows that too. But it's the NFL and whenever my chance is or whenever my opportunities are, that's when I'm going to take advantage. So that's my focus.
Q: Why have they told you you're not playing more?
JALIN HYATT: I mean they didn't really say anything. Like I said, we got good receivers in our room and they're going to go with what they feel that's comfortable with (quarterback Daniel Jones) DJ. And that's what we do. So, like I said, just I'll get my chances. I'll be out there. And when they come, I got to take advantage.
Q: It's also you have to look at it, I'm sure you look at it too like it's a matter of the offense hasn't had a lot of plays too. Hasn't been on the field much, only 22 minutes. Is that going to your role too, kind of being not as much as you would like it right now?
JALIN HYATT: Yeah, It's still early in the season. It's Week 2. That's why I'm still shocked and surprised about the rumors that I'm hearing. It's Week 2, we're still early in this season. And as far as disappointing or mad, it's none of that. I'm a competitor at the end of the day. And I want to be out there. I'm going to take advantage of my chances when they come. But as far as trades and all that, that's all false.
Q: What did Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll say to you when it was clear you weren't going to be in the starting rotation?
JALIN HYATT: They came up to me and told me and I respect that from Joe and Dabs and let me know what I'm going to be doing. And that's where we're going to go from here. Like I said, whenever my chance comes, I'll be ready. And that's my focus.
Q: In your mind, what in particular do you have to do or improve on like specific things to get on the field more?
JALIN HYATT: Yeah, I mean just being more consistent, showing Dabs and Joe what I can do. Like I said, it's about what DJ wants, what he feels comfortable with. And that's how we roll with it. So, just for myself, just getting better each and every day and just taking advantage of my opportunities when they come.
Q: Do you mean as a route runner or do you mean like as a blocker, like other things that aren't receiving?
JALIN HYATT: Yeah, I mean just being consistent in everything, blocking, catching the ball, running routes, knowing my assignment on my role and obviously making plays. And it's got to get more consistent with all of it and once I get to that stage, that's when I'll be ready.
