Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury addressed the media after practice on Jan. 23. Here is a full transcript of the press conference.
On the impact Assistant Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator Brian Johnson has had on the team and his influence on QB Jayden Daniels:
"Yeah, he's been phenomenal. He's one of the smartest offensive minds I've been around, honestly. The things he picks up in the past game and the run game, a lot of the red zone concepts we've hit in big moments have been things he's brought in and seen. And his influence, just being able to share kind of some things he used with [QB] Jalen [Hurts] there in Philly, some things that worked, some things he wish he would've done differently with Jayden has been huge because obviously that's instant credibility of success they had there in Philly. So, I can't say enough great things about him. He's been a blessing for us to have him here."
On if having a QB who can run is becoming a prerequisite to an elite offense in the NFL and if he would ever want to call plays for an offense that doesn't have a QB who can do that:
"I've been fortunate in my career to not have to do that often, starting in Houston with [Former NFL QB] Case Keenum, he could run around enough and obviously [Former NFL QB] Johnny [Manziel] Football and from there, guys that could move around. You don't have to make the perfect play call. I think the guys that are doing it at a high level, you saw [Detroit Lions QB] Jared Goff, being able to get him premier plays, [Chicago Bears Head Coach] Ben Johnson's done a tremendous job with that. You know, the [Former NFL QB's] Drew Brees, Tom Brady, Peyton [Manning], they would get him into the ideal play call every time. With these young guys coming in, the expectation is to play well and play right away. And sometimes the ability to escape and make plays with their legs, that's going to translate faster than trying to be perfect on every play call and asking them to do that much in the line of scrimmage. And so, I think it's definitely moving that way, but those guys that have been in the same system for a while can process at the line like that, can play that solid football. They're out there it's just not something that that I've done in my past."
On if it's always been his coaching style to use feedback from the players on his offense:
"Yeah, it's really been part of my style. I think I could think it's the dumbest idea in the world, but if they believe in it, they usually make it work and vice versa. I could have the most brilliant play call I ever thought I had, and they're like, hey, I don't like that. Well, it's out. And that's just, it made sense to me but it's about the players, not the plays. And those guys usually make it work if they believe in it. This group has a lot of really smart football players. The one guy you got to watch is [TE] Zach Ertz because any play he recommends the ball's going directly to him [laughs]. And he's very, very smart so he knows when the ball should go to him and not. But no, it's from the quarterback on those guys. If they have a thought and idea they believe in and like we're willing to throw it out there."
On what Run Game Coordinator/Running Backs Coach Anthony Lynn meant to him and this offense:
"Yeah, he's been phenomenal, great leader. His run game stuff, the style of play that he's always been about, downhill physical nature has really helped us in that department. Great leader. Obviously, brilliant going to Texas Tech, so we started there on the same page. But no, he's been a real calming presence for us as an offense and just having gone through the battles he's gone through, been a head coach, been a great OC. Anytime you have that type of knowledge around for all of us has been great."
On when he knew QB Jayden Daniels was legit:
"I mean, early on, like he was doing stuff in the rookie mini camp that I was like this is different than what I'm used to seeing ever. I think some of the checks and the reads and the progressions and the ball not touching the ground early and just the ability to see it once and go out there and execute at a high level was unique. I'd probably say on the road at Cincinnati when some of the stuff he did there, I was like, okay, this is like a real thing and then it's just gotten better. And the work ethic, like I said, hasn't done anything but improved and the competitive stamina outside of when he was banged up and we had a couple rough weeks, we were trying to figure things out has just been, he's gotten better and better each week."
On why he thinks players have embraced the team mantras:
"Yeah, just DQ [Head Coach Dan Quinn]. From day one, he hasn't treated anybody differently. His expectation level has been what it is. You know, it's going to be championship week every week. So, when you get to this week, which he preached, nothing's going to be different and guys believed in it. They followed him. There's a lot of guys with a chip on their shoulder in that group. Players that I think people thought they were being sent off here to die and they've been able to show that they still got a place in this league."
On if he considers Philadelphia Eagles Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio's defensive style the opposite of New York Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn's and the opportunities and challenges of facing it:
"Yeah, both great defensive minds. Vic's had one of the top defenses of the league. I think the thing that jumps out to me with him the most is just, I've never coached with him, but has to be an incredible teacher because whoever they plug in there, they play consistently. They don't give up the big play. And everybody knows, they're spacing on defense as good as anybody I've ever gone against. They know where to be. They know the drops, they know the depths of their drops. And so, he's a challenge because you're not going to get any free ones. You're not going to get those, those big 80 yarders that they just busted coverage. You're going to have to earn every deal and he's going to change up the looks on you."
On if he's seen the offense grow in these two playoff games:
"Just the level of focus throughout the week has been, it's really picked up. Like I think we limped through that last couple of games. Once you know, you're in the playoffs, it can be a bit of a challenge whether you're going to be the sixth seed or whatever. You're like, all right, we're in. And as soon as we got in the playoffs, you felt the energy, the focus pick up, the attention to detail throughout walkthroughs practice, every rep guys asking on their own to get another look at it, not being coach driven. So I think the preparation of the focus going in the playoffs and throughout the playoffs so far is, has really increased."
On the specific challenge that the Eagles defense and DT Jalen Carter present:
"Yeah, he's one of the most dominant players in the league, if not the most dominant that I've seen. He can wreck a game by himself. They're good enough upfront to rush for and get pressure as they've shown throughout the year. But that guy's really come on, I have a ton of respect for the way he plays the game, whether they're up, down, whatever, he's playing hard, he's getting his wins and he changed that entire defense with his style of play this year."
On if he now has a better understanding of the Eagles secondary and how they like to play the game:
"That to me is the coolest part of the NFL is the divisional matches. When you get to play a team two or three times, I think both groups get to see, hey, what could we have done differently in the game and adjusted and attacked and they're looking the same thing as us. So, I think it, it works both ways, but it's always a cool challenge to be able to get another look, whether you played good or bad and say, Hey, this is what we could have done differently."
*On a throw Daniels had to WR Terry McLaurin that stands out to him: *"Yeah, the touchdown against the Saints. I was just like, I don't even know what that was, where he kind of rolled around, got knocked down, and Terry came up and made it. The play couldn't have gone any more wrong and he made it right, and that's why it's about players, not plays."
On what Philadelphia Eagles DB's Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell have bring to their secondary:
"Yeah, I mean, both of them very, very consistent for young guys. There was no wavering. They played at a high level all year. DeJean, he's all over the place. They can play him in any role he can cover. He's great at blitzing, he is great at tackling. And then Mitchell, you know, he's already become one of the top cover guys in the league at, at such a young age. So to have two guys that consistent and never waver and you don't see their play waiver throughout this long season is, is really a credit to Vic and his staff and then those guys competitive stamina."
On if he's has a chance to take stock on the success of the season:
"I have not. I have not, just been trying to get better every day. That's been the focus from our quarterback room. We just talked about, hey, no matter what happens, we're going to try to get better every day and make this the best room in the NFL. And so that's been the focus."
On an example of the chemistry Daniels and McLaurin have:
"Yeah, Terry's one of the best I've ever seen at just attacking the ball in the air and Jayden as the season went on, I think they built more and more trust as they had time on task. And so really Jayden giving him a chance and Terry making those plays over and over. But the production that Terry had with some quarterback play that was just up and down, you know, the not having a consistent starter, which is tough in this league is really remarkable when you look at it. And now he has a guy who is playing at a level like Jayden is, I just expect those numbers to get better and better."
On how happy he is that Daniels is his quarterback:
"Oh, no doubt. Very blessed to be here. Certain circumstances that kind of brought me here and ended up here is pretty unique. And so to be able to work with him, throughout this year, get to know him and build our relationship has been phenomenal. He's as good a person as I've ever been around. And the type of young man that when you show at work, you want to be better because of the way he acts and carries himself."
On if T Trent Scott will start:
"Anytime Trent's had his number call, whether it's tackle or inside, he stepped up. He's one of the real leaders in that room. Root leader on this team. Tough mentality, works hard, true professional, so it'll be a group effort. We'll see kind of how that plays out. But we have a few guys, we feel good about sliding in there."
On how he blends Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio's blitz schemes with what he's done all year when preparing for the Eagles defense:
"Yeah, really just try to find a heavy medium and just have the best answers you can for both. I think really for six quarters, the first six quarters, you know, they dominated us in really every facet defensively. And then the last half we played better and scored some points, but it's a challenge and he does a good job of keeping you guessing and whatever you think he's going to do, he'll have a different answer for you."
On OL Trent Scott, RB Jeremy McNichols, WR Jamison Crowder, and WR Olamide Zaccheaus flouring this season:
"It's awesome. And you knew that early on with their attitude. The guys were hungry and we just preached a fresh start too. I didn't care what you'd done. I hope they didn't judge me for the prior stops I'd been at or what they heard or thought about me. And I gave them a clean slate as well. Hey, we're going to do the best we can do for the Commanders, and if you can contribute to this team at a high level, you're going to play. And those guys have bought in and when their number have been called, they've shown why they've been in this league so long and that they still have a lot left in the tank."
