HEAD COACH JOHN HARBAUGH
Opening Statement: "OK, it's good to see everybody. I appreciate you being here. [It was a] great victory. I am very proud of our guys [and] very excited [about] the outcome. I am also very impressed with the process. Sometimes, the outcome, you can't always control. I read a great scripture that talked about the battle, the strength of horses and things like that. Some people out there are going to know the scripture – the verse is just escaping me – but it says, 'The victory belongs to the Lord.' I talked to the team about that, and we want to give praise and honor where it belongs because these guys kept so much faith, so much faith in the Lord, and also in each other and the process. [They understood the importance of] being a team and sticking together, handling all the arrows and sling [shots] that get tossed your way when you're struggling. By no means does this mean that things are over. By no means have we accomplished anything close to what we want to accomplish, but this was a really important game for our team. This was really a big game, and Thursday [at Miami] is really a big game for our team, too. Our guys are keenly aware of that, and they'll turn it around tomorrow, and they'll be ready to get to work on the Dolphins down there [in Miami]. But I can't emphasize enough how proud I am of the players, the coaches and everybody involved. I thought our defensive coaches had a great gameplan. It was excellent. It was executed in an excellent way by the players throughout the game. And the offensive coaches had a great gameplan. I thought [offensive coordinator] Todd [Monken] was ... His play calling was just incredible. [It was] on point [and] really effective. And then, of course, you can talk about all the players, but we'll start with Tyler Huntley right here. The way he played that game, 116-plus quarterback rating, he ran the offense, ran the ball, completed passes and just kept great poise in critical moments. He finished the game – [he had a] critical drive at the end of the game. I don't think he could have played any better than that. That was one of those all-time great performances, man. I'm so proud of you, [Tyler]. We'll talk about the phone call sometime. But, he did it, and the team did it. So, with that, what questions do you have?"
It's been a while since you've gotten that feeling of winning a game. How was the locker room after that? (Jamison Hensley) "It was happy. It was a happy locker room. Yes, it was a happy locker room. It was a joyous locker room, and it was also kind of a poised locker room, too. It wasn't out of control. We haven't won a championship or anything else; we won a game. We won one game, a game that we needed to win. And even with Derrick Henry on the sideline right after the game, I gave him a hug, and he was kind of just [relaxed], and Kyle Hamilton was kind of like, 'OK, but there's plenty of things to work on.' So, [we still have] plenty of things we can all get better at."
There was that fourth-and-5, it seemed like that sequence was a decisive sequence of the game. You had a long huddle, and it seemed like you were talking about whether to go for it to draw the Bears offsides. You end up getting the P Jordan Stout punt inside the five-yard line and then the CB Nate Wiggins turnover. What were the discussions like? Were you close to going for it? (Jeff Zrebiec) "We talked about it; we talked about it, and we decided that we would try to draw them offsides. It was fourth-and-5. We felt like maybe we could get them. You don't always get them, but we didn't think there was much to lose there, unless you decide you'd rather go for it. It does help a lot if it's followed up with a punt that puts [the other team] inside the five-yard line; that's what you want. If you don't put them inside the five [-yard line], if you kick it in the end zone or something like that, it's not nearly as effective of a situation. But the downside of not getting it was pretty steep, so we just felt like, 'You know what, let's go ahead and try to see if we can try to draw them offsides and then see if we can execute the punt.'"
Two questions related to QB Tyler Huntley – one, what was your thought process when he became available and you signed him? I know you'd worked with him before, but bringing him back here. And then, what led to you making the change to have him be the starter today? (Bo Smolka) "Well, to be the starter today, I felt like it was the best thing for our team. [I thought] it would give us the best chance to win. Tyler [Huntley] does some things; he's a talented player, he can make throws, and he can do things with his legs. He was a great spark for us. It just felt like the right thing to do. Nothing against Cooper [Rush]. Cooper is a great guy and played good football for us, but Tyler was the answer for today's game. We felt like it just wasn't a hard decision. We were planning on doing that throughout the bye week and everything, if Lamar Jackson] couldn't go."
I'm sure the short week kind of makes it a little tough, and every day probably helps the chances that QB Lamar Jackson can play on Thursday. But given what QB Tyler Huntley was able to do today, does that change any of the calculus or sort of risk factor if you have to go without Lamar again? (Kyle Goon) "Well yes, it's great, the way that Tyler [Huntley] played. I think it gives us a lot of confidence. But, we already had a lot of confidence [in him]. When we brought him back, he and I had a phone conversation during training camp at some point. It was during training camp, and he was actually working out, and we talked about the possibility of [him returning to the Ravens], and we talked about if it does come to fruition, [I said], 'You're going to win football game. You could win a football game for us,' Right? And here we are. It's one of those things that you just really could never predict, but it's the way things work sometimes."
You mentioned the defense playing much better today. After the goal-line stand, you shared an embrace with ILB Roquan Smith. Could you kind of detail what his return meant and the steps that you saw in the defense today? "Well, 'Ro' [Roquan Smith] is a really great leader. 'Ro,' Marlon Humphrey, Kyle Hamilton, Kyle Van Noy and other guys; those are the veteran kind of guys. 'Chido' [Chidobe Awuzie] played so well – he's another veteran guy. How about Nate Wiggins? [The Bears went] after Nate early, [and then] Nate steps up and really put the pedal to the metal and played great football. Up front [on the defensive line], we got pressure. We got pressure up front. We got a few sacks, Mike Green got his first sack, but we got pressure and got [Caleb Williams] throwing the ball. That crazy throw at the end [from Caleb Williams], golly – we've had some plays like that this year. That was kind of crazy to throw, but we had him on his heels quite a bit, which was good to see. The defense, they got the first two drives, and we stood up, and we held them to field goals. That was massive. Those first two stops where they were moving the ball and kind of had their gameplan [going well], they had us on our heels with the running of the boots a little bit, and we get two stops in the red zone – that gave us life. And then our offense stepped up, and goes and makes [the score] 7-6, and now you have a whole new ball game. And I don't think [the Bears] scored again until, maybe, the fourth quarter at that point. So, I thought our defense was just outstanding."
Along those lines, defensive coordinator Zach Orr said getting pressure was one of the biggest focuses of bye week. How important, or significant, just momentum-wise, were those two blitzes with S Kyle Hamilton and CB Marlon Humphrey that led to the penalties on the Bears? "That's just a great point, thanks for bringing that up. Those two intentional grounding penalties were huge. They're like sacks; they're the same as sacks. And yes, those two blitzes were great. They were well-timed up, well-executed blitzes. Kyle Hamilton is a great blitzer. Kyle Van Noy is just so sneaky with the pass rush stuff that he does; he's so cagey. Those were huge plays."
I know it's not your main focus right now, but from your perspective, what happened with the miscommunication around QB Lamar Jackson's injury status? Were you unclear on the role that he couldn't be listed as a full participant if he only ran the practice squad? (Childs Walker) "Yes, well the status was pretty much the status all the way through. We were hoping [he could play today]. We weren't going to rule [Lamar Jackson] out before we had to. And I think at the end of the day, the conversations that were had, they just didn't feel like the two games in the five days would be the thing to do. So that comes back to us. And when you hear that as a coach, that's what you do. So, with him not practicing with the first offense throughout the week, it's just [us] getting Tyler [Huntley] ready to go, and we're going to go play football with Tyler. And if Lamar would've come back, if it could've happened, as a coach, I [would have to have] put him in there. And Tyler, you would have understood that, right? That would've been the way we would've gone. But he didn't get to the point where I think they felt comfortable with that part of it. The other part of it, I'm not involved in those rules. I don't know those particular rules. I think, in their defense, he practiced a full practice. I think they felt like, because he did the same number of reps [as he usually does], it was a full practice. But when you dig in and you read the rule, at the end of the day, it wasn't right. So, that's what it was. That's why, as soon as we found out, we changed it."
You said they, who is they? Who makes that decision? (Luke Jones) "That's in the training room and the PR [staff] on the other side. It's not on the football side. [It was on the] medical side. But it's an honest mistake. It really is an honest mistake. I can tell you this; nobody is trying to hide anything. There's no advantage to be gained with that. [Lamar Jackson] practiced, [and] his status was what it was. He was questionable. I do think if we'd have had the old status, maybe they would've said doubtful. Maybe, I don't know. But, questionable or out? We weren't going to say out because he wasn't out until Saturday when that conversation was had on the medical side."
Do you expect QB Lamar Jackson to be available to start on Thursday night in Miami? (Jamison Hensley) "You know what? I'm hopeful [that Lamar Jackson will start on Thursday night]. I'm just going to say that I'm hopeful. As a coach, what you do is you ask. [You might say], 'How is he doing?' That's about as much as you do. How are we doing, back to practice, you put them in there and you practice them. That's how it works. On the coaching side, coaches aren't involved with statuses and whether the guys play or not. That's not a coaching decision."
When you say that, are you saying that QB Lamar Jackson has been cleared to play? (Cordell Woodland) "I don't know what cleared means. [Lamar Jackson] wasn't available for this game. He was declared out, that's the status."
RB Keaton Mitchell was inactive for a few games earlier this season. Did anything happen over the bye week, or was there anything in particular that made you think this was the game to get him involved? (Kyle Goon) "Well, over the bye week, one of our things – one of the many things we looked at was – we said, 'We have to tag plays for Keaton [Mitchell].' We just said, 'We have to do it.' You want to make sure Derrick [Henry] gets his reps, and Justice [Hill] is effective, but we just said, 'We have got to tag plays for Keaton Mitchell and make sure we get him the ball.' And that's what we were able to do. I think he had three plays where he got the ball."
You guys have dealt with adversity before in the past, but this week, between some of the stories with players criticizing coaches, between the QB Lamar Jackson injury stuff, how tough was it to kind of go tunnel vision this week and just get ready for this game? And how rewarding – given the difficulty of the week – is today's result? (Jeff Zrebiec) "That's a good question, I appreciate it. It was challenging because you haven't won games, and you want to win games. And we understand – we were fighting. I was proud of the guys when we didn't win the games. Our guys fought like crazy against the Texans – the guys that were out there – and they fought like crazy against the Rams. And we turned the ball over. We didn't make the plays we needed to make [or] get the stops we needed to make, but they're fighting, and they're competing. So, it wasn't hard in the sense of all the outside noise; that wasn't relevant at all. Anything that was said anonymously, it's just noise. It's not even a real statement. It's not a real quote. If there's no name to it, it doesn't exist, the way we look at it. [And if] you're talking about the games stuff [in the locker room], the games stuff was like a month ago. Nobody cared about that. And like I said, which the people that wrote it already know, they already know that came from the leadership players – but they haven't reported that yet – but that's where [the decision] came from. It came from the leadership players. It was a players' decision to do that. So, that was nothing. I was kind of proud of it. When I heard about it two weeks after it happened, I was like, 'Good, great, cool.' I haven't been in the locker room. I don't spend time in the locker room. So, that's all nothing. That's nothing. What matters is a team that sticks together and fights, even when the outside tries to divide you. That's OK. You have to stick together, and you have to be a family. We're going to have our hands full on Thursday night against the Miami Dolphins down in Miami, and that's what we're going to be thinking about. [We're] not going to be worried about some silly story that gets written by an unserious type of a report. We're not going to worry about that. We're going to worry about taking care of our business as best we can and sticking together. (Turns to two players in the room) You guys agree with that? That's what we're going to contend with."
WR ZAY FLOWERS
On how he felt with QB Tyler Huntley as the quarterback: "We were confident in [Tyler Huntley] the whole week. We already knew if 'Snoop' played that he was going to have a good game, because he resembles how our offense plays. He and 'L' [Lamar Jackson] have similar [styles of play]. They both can run. They both can pull the ball. They both have a great arm, so we were confident."
On if the team came into the game with the idea that this was a bigger regular season game than usual considering the circumstances: "Absolutely, because we were 1-5, so you don't want to lose and go 1-6. We'd rather be 2-5 than 1-6, so from here on out, all the games are going to be important."
On if he felt like this was a game where QB Tyler Huntley was going to lean on him to help jumpstart this offense: "I knew [Tyler Huntley] was going to lean on all of us – 'D-Hen' [Derrick Henry], me, Mark [Andrews], 'Like' [Isaiah Likely], 'Bate' [Rashod Bateman] – and we all made big catches [and] 'D-Hop' [DeAndre Hopkins]. We all made big catches in this game to help him out and move the ball."
On what this win after the bye week says about this team: "We aren't done yet. We're just getting started. We aren't done yet."
On if it was an advantage having the Chicago Bears Top 3 cornerbacks out of the game: "We don't even pay attention to that, if I'm being honest. We didn't know this whole week whether they were playing or not, but we did what we did. We came out with a win."
On if the Bears missing their Top 3 cornerbacks and the Ravens missing QB Lamar Jackson balance out: "So, we're even, right?" (laughter)
On the long run by QB Tyler Huntley and running into his back: "Yes, [Tyler Huntley] should have broke right. The right side was open. He had this man pushing me in the back, but hey, we got the first down. We ended up getting some points out of that, but it's alright."
On why the offense was successful today: "We believed in the system today, and we just went out and played. We knew we had to finish if we wanted to win."
On if the team can celebrate today's win or if their focus goes right to Thursday game against Miami: "We're probably focused on Thursday now. Everybody is probably enjoying the win, but we're ready to get to Thursday to try to move to 3-5."
On how the team keeps this momentum going: "Just practice how we practice, do what we do, execute everything that we've been executing and just keep going."
On how impressed he was with QB Tyler Huntley in today's game: "[I was] super impressed, super impressed. It's hard to move around the league and then come somewhere and have to win some games, so I'm super impressed. That's hard to do."
On what his relationship with QB Tyler Huntley means in a game like this: "[Tyler Huntley] knows I have his back, so whatever he's with, I'm with. [With] me, him, 'L' [Lamar Jackson], all of us, 'Like' [Isaiah Likely], we all have a good relationship, so whatever he's with, we were with, so we were ready."
On not having QB Lamar Jackson the last few games: "It's super tough. It's super tough when you don't have your starting quarterback. It's hard to win, as you can see, but we have 'Snoop' [Tyler Huntley], and 'Snoop' pulled it out, so we're good."
OLB MIKE GREEN
On the overall defensive performance today: "We went out there, we made plays, and we flew around. It was clear that we were the more dominant defense, and I think everybody was sticking together, cohesive off one another. We just went out there, had fun, and that led to the victory."
On his first quarter sack: "Watching film this week, I knew the left tackle's tendencies. One move that I wanted to do was a cross chop on him. So, that's what I did, and it worked out perfectly."
On if it feels like a weight was lifted off of the team with this win: "Kind of, but not really. We knew what kind of team we have and ultimately that carried over into this game. We knew that if we just did what we were supposed to do, that we would end up winning this game. So, not so much of a weight getting lifted off our shoulders, but more so just acknowledging what we have and where we can go from here."
On stopping the Bears after the first couple of drives: "That's just catching the fire. You need one spark to light the fire, and I feel like once one guy made a play, the next one was able to make a play and so on. It was a domino effect. Football is a momentum game. Once you have momentum, that's typically the team that wins."
On every game being the most important game: "The teams that think like that are the teams that typically end up with the best outcome at the end of the season. You take one game at a time instead of looking forward or looking behind. And when you have a team that does that, you're going to have a pretty special team. I think we're just taking it game by game. If we just continue to do the things we know we can do, things are going to work out in our favor."
On his first Sunday to Thursday short week preparation: "It's a short week and we know we have to put this win behind us quickly and get ready for next week. If we practice this week how we practiced last week, we're going to like the outcome."
S KYLE HAMILTON
On if today's win was a sigh of relief: "I don't think it's a sigh of relief. It's just what we expect to do on Sundays. We didn't just win the Super Bowl or anything. We just won a regular season game against a good team. All three phases did some good things, and we have some stuff to improve on, so we have a game in four days. We're worried about that now."
On what changes they made to hold Chicago out of the end zone for most of the game: "Throughout the season, we've been a bend-and-then-break team. We gave up long drives and then touchdowns, and I feel like just growing up throughout the season as a defense, we have become a bend-but-don't-break team. They got down in red zone a couple times, and we held them to three points. That was the difference at the end of the game, so it's just [about] consistency, everybody keep working and grinding."
On how good CB Nate Wiggins' interception was: "Shout out Nate [Wiggins]. We always talk about getting turnovers, and he has our sole two picks this year. I'm trying to match him at some point. Share the wealth. I'm happy somebody got it, because those are big momentum shifts in the game. Field position like that, it starts with our punt team downing the ball, back them up. [It] put the pressure on them, and [they] threw a pick. I'm happy for him, happy for our defense [and] happy for the team."
On head coach John Harbaugh trusting the defense by punting the ball instead of attempting a long field goal: "There's a reason I'm not a head coach, because I was being a contrarian on the sideline with a couple of those decisions, but that's the reason [head coach John Harbaugh] is the head coach. It worked out for us. I just go play the game. I wouldn't blame him a few weeks ago if he decided to try to kick the field goal [and] not to put the defense out there, but I think we've stacked enough drives to have some confidence in him to have confidence in us. Props to everybody involved."
On QB Tyler Huntley's play today: "We expected that. That's not a surprise to us, and obviously, Lamar [Jackson] is Lamar, but we have 'Snoop' [Tyler Huntley], and he's been a more-than-serviceable backup in this league for a long time. [He's] played a lot of reps as a starter, and he's super talented as well, so I'm happy for him. He got his opportunity, and [he's the] ultimate professional, just a happy guy every day. [We] always see him smile. I'm sure you all do, too. I'm happy to see him go out there and perform, and the offense as a whole just played very well."
On how long he takes to enjoy the win: "It's over now. I'm worried about Thursday. I don't even think we have an off day, so I have to come in tomorrow and get ready for Miami."
RB DERRICK HENRY
On how it felt to have FB Patrick Ricard back in the game: "It is always great to have 'Pat' [Patrick Ricard] out there and get back in the swing of things. [We] had a great week of preparation. [I am] excited to have him back."
On what worked offensively today: "We were executing. We were able to get in drives, get some plays going and have some explosive playmakers making plays. So, we did a great job finding them. We got down [to the red zone] a couple times where we came up short. [We have] to turn those into touchdowns, but overall, I felt like we got momentum, got into a rhythm and we were able to put some points up."
On how he thought QB Tyler Huntley played: "[Tyler Huntley] did great. We saw it throughout the week. We knew he would have a great game. It's just about the preparation throughout the week and how he was operating and throwing the ball. He just looked good all week, so we knew coming into the game that he would have a good one."
On if it felt good to get a win: "It feels better than a loss, I'll tell you that. I am just proud of everybody and for all of the hard work. Like I said in preparation for this week, it was great to put all the work in and let it pay off with the victory."
On what it means to move past Walter Payton to rank fifth in the NFL for career rushing touchdowns: "Like I said in the interview earlier, I'm trying to be so appreciative about all of the things [I do] and some of the runs in the game that I like to have back, but I'm always going to give homage and pay homage to the ones that came before me. It's such a cool thing. I've been blessed with the teammates and coaches I had throughout the years to reach that milestone, but [there's] still more [work] to do, and [I am] looking forward to being better."
On how much it meant to see RB Keaton Mitchell make big plays in the fourth quarter: "Yes, it was huge for us. We call him [Keaton Mitchell] 'Wink' with his speed; I'm sure everybody knows that, and you've seen it out there. So, [I am] very proud of him getting the opportunities that he had and taking advantage of them. There'll be plenty more to do that. He did a heck of a job today."
On what his mindset was after the game: "I'm just my worst critic of myself. [I am] very critical of myself, and there's not anybody else, it's just me battling myself and my thoughts. So, it's just me mad at myself. But I'll get through it, watch the film, and we'll pass it even though it'll be hard. I will just get ready for Miami. It's going to be a quick turnaround, so we have to lock in on that one and have to flush this one."
On how it felt to have zero turnovers in a close game: "We always say that if we take care of the ball on our side, we give ourselves the best chance to win the game. Over the past couple of weeks, [we had] self-inflicted wounds, and we want those things not to happen so we can put ourselves in position to win. Everybody did a great job doing that today."
QB TYLER HUNTLEY
On if he thought that he would not have an opportunity like this game again after signing with the Ravens: "I didn't think that it wouldn't happen [again] - I was just being at home, just working out every day by yourself and stuff. You just try to see where it's going to come from and when [it] would happen. I didn't have any idea that just being that [during] OTAs, it's not really [a time] where players are being moved around and stuff. I understand it, but we are here."
On what his emotions were when he found out he would be starting versus the Chicago Bears: "[It was] probably, Saturday night – late. I usually just prepare every day like I'm the starter regardless, so it wasn't too much of a surprise. I am like, 'Shoot, let's do it.'"
On what he remembers from the phone call with head coach John Harbaugh over the summer before he came back to Baltimore: "Yes, it was [during training camp]. I would say it was early, early in training camp, and then I got done working out hard and I was just like, 'Man, I would love to play for the best team in the National Football League again.' So, I just texted 'Harbs' [John Harbaugh] and I was like, 'Give me a call. I know you are at [training] camp. I know you are at camp. Just give me a call when you get a chance.' And he called me right back. I didn't expect a call right back. He was like – and we just went on and just talked. He was just like, 'Relationships last forever.' So, I was just grateful for that."
On if there is any disappointment that lingers with him after coming up short in the playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals over two years ago: "It hurt then, because that was our last game. I had to sit at home thinking about that play forever. But other than that, we had a lot of disappointments during the day – more than just fumbling. It isn't nothing."
On how he felt about his performance as a complete player during this game: "I [would] just say, like I said, I was able to get 1-on-1 work with a quarterback coach while I was at home, while everybody was away. I just felt like I was tuning up my craft, working on just my faith with God and just being one with myself [and] not letting little mistakes just down me as a person, when you're greater than that. So, I learned my value and that's why I felt like I'm more complete now because I know my value."
On what kind of conversations he had with QB Lamar Jackson leading up to the Week 9 game: "With Lamar [Jackson], we talk all of the time and we can talk about anything. So, shoot, I don't even know how to answer that one. We talk all the time. So, I think he [was] just helpful being there even when he's there but not being able to go [on the field] or whatnot. He's able to just be your support because he's been there, done that, and he's just a great mentor to even have as my brother."
On if his skills and relationships are more valuable in Baltimore in comparison to elsewhere: "I'm just blessed and thank God that I'm here with the Ravens."
TE CHARLIE KOLAR
On letting out that primal scream after his touchdown: "Great adjective ... Primal. I like that one. I was just excited. We were having trouble in the red zone up to that point and it was good to get in. Great play call by [offensive coordinator Todd] Monken. Good timing, Snoop [Tyler Huntley] sold it. Great play."
On scoring a touchdown on National Tight Ends' Day: "We celebrate here, we celebrate. God, we needed a win. We were joking before the game that it was a must win/can't lose game, same thing, you've got to get a win. What a team game. Defense, offense, special teams. Just a good Ravens team win."
On what the energy was like coming off the field with a win: "Obviously, it's hard when you lose four in a row. We just keep saying the same thing, just keep getting better, just keep getting better. And that's all you really can do because this is the NFL. So, I think this team has a lot of maturity, we just keep focusing on us, keep fixing mistakes, and keep getting better. There are only two things you can do in this business; you can either quit or get better. So, I have a lot of respect for guys on this team, the coaches, that resiliency to just keep your heads down and keep playing. Our defense today played a great game. We [offense] put them in some bad spots early in the game, three-and-outs. Special teams made some great plays today. Tylan [Wallace], DeAndre [Hopkins], and the offense did a great job. The offensive line moved them around. Great team win."
On QB Tyler Huntley's play: "Just gritty. I mean, he got here, what, three or four weeks ago? Comes in, obviously, you could see at the line of scrimmage, we did a lot of stuff. He was winging it, he used his legs when he had to. He was efficient with his passes, he was on target, he took care of the football, he was explosive. Can't say enough good things about him."
On waiting his turn to produce for the offense: "We have so many weapons on this team, and so, there's only one football. I take pride in my role on special teams. I take pride on my role in the run game. I don't want to pat myself on the back too much, but I think I've grown up a lot with that. Just do what I can do to control. If you continue to worry about things that you can't control, then you're not going to play good, you're not going to be happy, you're not going to be a good teammate. A couple years ago, I was kind of being a little wuss, and my tight end coach from college kind of ripped me. He said stop being a little baby, go out there and play as hard as you can and have fun. That's kind of how I try to do it. Play as hard as I can, have fun, and be the best teammate that I can be. Usually good things happen."
On the importance of the offense sustaining drives: "If you talk about one thing that's really shown up this year, it's our turnovers. And then secondly, we've been very explosive, but we've been very inefficient at times. It would be a big touchdown and then a three-and-out. So, the talk was, after the first drive when we went three-and-out, just keep playing. After that, we put together a lot of sustained drives. We have to look at the film and get better in the red zone. It's so big, time of possession is huge, especially against a team who wants to run the ball. It gives our defense a break. It's such a big deal."
C TYLER LINDERBAUM
On having FB Patrick Ricard back this week: "Just the physical presence [Patrick Ricard] brings, it's a game changer. Obviously, the more comfortable he gets back into playing, obviously, the more we'll work him in."
On what he saw from QB Tyler Huntley leading up to the game: "Obviously, getting the reps with each other, we haven't had many reps with the O-line and everyone else, but the good thing is I've played with 'Snoop' [Tyler Huntley] before. He's always a joy to be in the huddle with. He just has a big smile on his face all the time, calling plays, and he's a fun quarterback to play for."
On how important the win was from a mental perspective: "2-5 is better than 1-6, but we just have to keep digging, keep fighting. Like I said earlier, we have a long way to go, but it's just the start."
On if the team felt like this was a must-win game: "Every game is must-win at this point. That's the mentality we have to have. It's a tough league. There are good teams in the league, and we have to find a way to win football games."
On how difficult the last month has been: "The group that we have in here, we don't flinch. We know what we're capable of doing. We know we're a capable football team, we're a winning football team, and we just have to go out there and prove it each and every week. I'm glad we got the win today, but we have a short turnaround, and we're going to go out there on Thursday and play at our best."
On if there were points of emphasis that the team did a good job of executing: "We'll have to see on the tape the things we did well [and] things we didn't [do well], but anytime you come out with a win, it's a big deal."
On the importance of staying out of third-and-long situations: "Just be efficient on your drives. Obviously, we started off with a three and out; that's not how you want to start, but be efficient on your drives on first and second down. Be efficient. Limit the third downs to the third and short, and at the end of the day, just play football. Play as hard as you can and as physical as you can. The defense did a tremendous job today, and I thought the offense, for the most part, was doing some good things."
On if he had a sense during the week that QB Tyler Huntley would have a good game: "Yes, no matter who's in at quarterback, we have trust in them. We have three really talented quarterbacks. They all practice at an elite level, and that's what you want in a quarterback, that trust and a trust in their capabilities of the job they're going to get done."
RB KEATON MITCHELL
On getting his opportunity: "I feel great. It felt great. Man, I almost blacked out. Thank God, I was praying, staying patient, and when I got the chance, just do what I do."
On if he thought he was going to be a big part of the gameplan: "If my number's called, whenever my number is called, I'm going to do what I got to do."
On being utilized and contributing in special teams: "I mean, whatever they need me to do to help the team out, I'm willing to do it. I'm going to give my all, and hopefully I was able to help the team today."
On turning the corner during his long run: "Yes, I thought I beat the safety. Man, he got a good little angle. So, I got what I got and do what I had to do."
On if it's been difficult for him before getting this opportunity: "Yes, it was hard. You know, God taught me patience. I had to be patient. I was patient, and my number was called today, and he blessed me."
On his thoughts during his long sideline run: "It felt good. You saw, I was hype afterwards. Blacked out a little bit, but it felt good."
On QB Tyler Huntley: "[Tyler Huntley] was great. I've seen it, you all watch the game. You know what I'm saying? Preparation. He had a great week of practice and came out here and did what he had to do."
FB PATRICK RICARD
On how he's feeling and on starting his 2025 season with a win: "I'm feeling good. It took a long time for me to get back and get healthy, but I'm just excited to be finally back, and it feels good to get a win today."
On his journey getting back and healthy: "It was just challenging. It was just challenging to not be able to help my team not be able to play, and I'm the type of guy that, if I'm healthy, and I'm ready to go, I'll go. But it was just taking longer than we all thought it would, and I'm just happy to be back now."
On if he experienced any setbacks: "Yes, so I initially hurt [my calf], and then a couple of weeks into rehabbing trying to get ready for Week 1, I re-injured it. And when that happened, it was just taking longer, and it was just kind of uncertain of when my calf was going to heal, and [I tried] to keep progressing my rehab. So, that's pretty much what happened. It was unfortunate, and it was really frustrating. It was just one of those things where I couldn't completely push through it. I've had so many injuries in my life from high school, college and the NFL, and it was one of those ones where, if I tried to push through it when it was healing, I maybe would've reinjured it again, and then maybe my whole season was over. So, it was one of those things where it was just really challenging, and it was frustrating, but I had great support with my teammates, my trainers and my coaches to give me to this point, and I'm just happy to be back now."
On how he knew he was going to be ready to play again: "I was just meeting with specialists, getting MRIs, just knowing that it was healed and just throughout my rehab, being able to keep progressing, doing different things where it felt good to where I could start progressing my running. And that was the biggest thing was just getting to a spot where I knew it was good to really start pushing it, and that was the unfortunate thing. It just took time because I re-injured it."
On what was going through his mind watching the team during the stretch where he wasn't able to play: "Yes, it was really tough. Like I said, if it was an injury where I could push through it and play, I would. But to not be able to was just gut-wrenching because seeing how hard our team was playing and just not getting the results – and knowing I could help this team – it was tough. But, I'm just happy to be back now."
On why he felt QB Tyler Huntley was the right guy for today: "I mean, the last time he played the Bears, we got a win, and I'm really excited for [Tyler Huntley] to come out here today and [see him] do what he did to get another win for us."
On the emotions for him returning to play today: "There were a lot of emotions. There were just a lot of emotions of just telling myself that I'm ready and [that] my calf is feeling good and trying to just let it rip and not worry about anything I was feeling. But yes, there were a lot of emotions for sure."
On how it felt to put one of the Bears linebackers on his back during a running play: "That was worth everything right there. Through all my rehab and everything, and to finally play and to get that hit, it felt really good, and I had to let him know."
On what impressed him about offensive coordinator Todd Monken's approach today: "Yes, I think [Todd Monken] did a lot of great things with different personnel groups to make us less predictable and put guys in the right positions, and I think it showed with just how we're moving the ball, getting first downs and getting points on most of our drives to the end of them. Obviously, we want to have touchdowns at the end of every drive, but getting points is big, especially for the offense and our morale of moving the ball and getting points. But yes, I thought it was pretty good."
On if this win feels like a new beginning for them: "Absolutely. I think getting the bye week [helped us in] taking a deep breath, looking where we are as a team and just what we can do better. We're getting a lot more guys back healthy and playing, and it just feels like a fresh, new start for us. So right now, we're 1-0."
On what scoring 30 points without QB Lamar Jackson says about their offense: "It just says that we have a lot of playmakers and a lot of guys, and we're all excited for Lamar [Jackson] to come back. But yes, I think it just shows that we're an offense that can play and produce, and when we've got our [starting] quarterback, I think the sky's the limit."
ILB ROQUAN SMITH
On what it's like coming back from an injury and ending the game with a win: "Yes, it's pretty awesome. You never want to be injured in this game of football because your best ability is your availability. So, that's what it all boils down to. [I am] grateful to be out there with my guys and to get a win here at M&T [Bank Stadium]."
On what he can share about the hug with head coach John Harbaugh after a fourth-down stop: "At the end of the day, it's about getting a win, and getting a win is very hard in this league. [We were] just talking about that, and were just embracing each other knowing that the last month has been very tough for each and every one [of us] inside of our locker room, and for all [of] the true fans and things of that nature [because we] understand how that can be. So, it was just more so a moment, and that's what life's all about. [It's about] having moments with people who you truly care about and [having] relationships. So, that's what I would say."
On if their two defensive stops in the red zone in the first two drives were a turning point for the team: "Yes, absolutely. I think it's just more so about playing to your standard, each and every individual. I think there was a lot of self-inflicted things that we did amongst ourselves. Granted, [Chicago Bears head coach] Ben Johnson's a very good [head coach], and their first 15 [plays] were quite tough, but that's what it's all about, absolutely. [It's about] understanding what they're trying to do and understanding how they're trying to attack you, and then settling down. Obviously, it would be crazy to say with the [Chicago] offense – those guys have been scoring 20-plus points every game – that those guys are not going to move the ball at all. That would be dumb to say. So, it was just more so about bowing up and forcing a field goal, and you would hope to block it. We talk about that all the time, if a team gets in the red zone, not letting them score. So, it's something that we've been focusing, on and that's just a start to it."
On what he saw from QB Tyler Huntley during practice this week: "I've always had a tremendous amount of respect for 'Snoop' [Tyler Huntley] ever since [I was in] Chicago. I remember playing him in Chicago. I think Lamar [Jackson] was sick or something back in 2020. I can't remember the year, but whenever that was. Going up against him, it was like, 'OK, Lamar is out.' You kind of get excited in a sense. As a competitor you, obviously want to play the best of the best, but you think like that, and he obviously showed that he can win games in this football league. And I honestly watched him at Utah, too, him and I think [Zack] Moss at running back. So, I've seen him play for a while, and [I] have a tremendous amount of respect for that guy. The way he comes into work each and every day, [he puts his] head down and acts as if he's the starter. Obviously, when Lamar [Jackson] is here, he knows he's not the starter. So, [I] just [have] a lot of respect for him in the way he goes about his business. [He] never complains, just always shows up and does whatever is required of him."
On when preparing for the Chicago Bears game, if he shuts out or lets in reflections about his time in Chicago: "Honestly, maybe if it was like a couple months after I got traded or maybe even a year. But at the end of the day, I'm comfortable with who I am as a person and who I am as a player, and I know what I bring to the table. So, it's just more so about me echoing that in each and every snap through my play, and not really worrying about the outside noise. What really matters is me going to work each and every day preparing for each and every team like it's my last game, because it very well could be. I've just had that approach throughout [my career], and if you keep that approach as a player, good things are going to happen. You just play relentlessly, and that's what it was about. It was just really great though to see a lot of people over in Chicago; [there were] a lot of faces that I got to see who I care about, and this game is about relationships. So, it was just awesome to see those people after the game and have talks with them [during] pregame and things of that nature, because relationships will go long after this ball stuff is over with."
On if the locker room's mentality was the same as any other week or was it a 'must win' game: "I would say not a single individual that I heard said anything about, 'Oh, the season is over,' or this, that and the third. And I consider myself an eternal optimist, so I'm always like, 'We've got a shot to do whatever we want.' I know the type of guys that we have in the locker room, so it's more so about going out and doing that. Not talking about it, but actually doing it. I think each and every guy was on the same page [with] the way we prepared over the couple days during the bye week. And then this week, it's like [we have] new energy. I feel like the team got a fresh start, and we're just going out to show who we are. But, it just started this week. We're 1-0 this week, and then we have to get to 2-0 this week, because it's a short week, and [then] it's on to Miami."
On if he thinks there has been an evolution between the players and coaches finding common ground and learning what each person does best: "I think that's always crucial, finding out what each and every guy does when there's live bullets flying out on the field when it's actually for real, as opposed to when you're practicing and things like that. So, it's just always about revamping, improving and putting each and every guy in the best situation to succeed. I've got a tremendous amount of respect for the whole entire defensive staff who know what each and every guy does best, and for putting them in the best place. So, that's what it's all about, but I feel like we're just getting started on who we are, and we know who we are, but just more so for the outside. We just have to continue that week-in and week-out, and it's just a start, and now we are on our way. So, that's what it's all about."
CB NATE WIGGINS
On his interception: "It felt great. Just going back to last year [and] me dropping a couple of balls. So, this pick felt really good."
On the offense turning the interception into a touchdown: "That was big. All week we were talking about complimentary football, the defense helping out the offense. I feel like we did that great today. Our defense and offense worked great together today, and we came out with a win."
On getting the win in front of the home crowd: "Obviously, it was good, but we're not too happy because we've got to keep on winning. We've got to put our heads down and just keep it up."
On asking the coaching staff to give him a particular receiver to cover: "I feel like I've grown over the last year, more mature. And I'm at the top of my game right now. So, I feel like no receiver can match up with me, so why not put me on that guy?"
On if he felt like the Bears were throwing on him in the first half: "First half, yes, they were throwing at me. I mean, they get paid too, so he's going to get his. But, I didn't doubt myself."
On the coaching staff's trust in the defense: "It feels good, just running on the field, knowing our head coach trusts us. It just makes us want to go out, play harder, and get a stop."
On the offense sustaining drives and helping the defense rest: "That was a big part of what we were talking about; the offense getting more time of possession. I feel like we did that. And when the offense came off the field, we were ready to go."
On his expectation when he asks to cover the top guy that they'll come after him: "I feel like when I'm keying on the top guy, they're going to come at me and see what I got. So, I'm ready to take the challenge. I would never back down from a challenge like that."
