Head Coach Hue Jackson:
On QB DeShone Kizer's week of practice and what he can do to help Kizer:
"I think he has done a good job off of the bye. He was able to see the things that he needs to improve on and do better. I think he has had a really good week of practice, and I think we have a gameplan that is conducive to giving him a chance to be what I think he can be from play in and play out. Now, he has to go execute and go do it. It is not just him. The other 10 guys have to do their part, too, but I think he is going to go play well. It is the second half of the season. It is our first game after the bye so he needs to go establish the kind of quarterback he wants to be the second half of the season."
On Kizer checking the box of not turning the ball over against Minnesota:
"That was a huge box."
On the next step for Kizer, in addition to not turning over the football:
"I think we have to make those plays in the scoring zone. Third down, those are the downs that give the offense an opportunity to keep the ball and to score points. I think he knows that. We have to continue to take care of the ball and have to make the plays when they present themselves."
On if it sticks out that Kizer has not thrown a TD since Week 3:
"Oh yeah, it sticks out to me. I do know this, yeah. I have noticed that, too. We just have to find a way. It is not from a lack of trying. We have had opportunities, and sometimes we just don't hook up with some of our guys. We have been inconsistent. I think we all know that. We are trying hopefully to be a little bit more consistent offensive football team in the second half of the season."
On Kizer's limited production in the second half against Minnesota prior to the end of the fourth quarter:
"I don't think it was anything that happened to him. I just give credit to the other team. People started to take things away that they saw that we did in the first half, and then all of a sudden, they are adjusting and we are adjusting. Sometimes things just don't go as well as you want them to. We just have to do a better job. It starts with me, and then our players have to do a better job that way, as well."
On Kizer not being as accurate as he would like in the second half against Minnesota:
"Yeah, there were some plays to be made. We didn't make them for different reasons, but he has to be accurate with the ball, our guys have to be in the right spot, we have to protect better and all of those things. It all goes together."
On if it is too soon to evaluate Kizer's potential, given public expectations for QBs to produce early:
"It probably is, but I will still go on record saying I think this guy is going to be a really good player in time, but there is work to be done. We all want the instant success, but it is going to take a little bit of team because I think it is not just him. I think the whole offensive team has to do their part, too, but does he have to play better? Yes, he does. I think he recognizes that so there is no question about that."
On if the perception that the attempted trade for Bengals QB A.J. McCarron says the organization doesn't believe in Kizer long-term is fair:
"I don't think that is fair. My job as a head coach is to always push for better talent on this football team. I don't care what position it is, especially being in that position. You are talking about a young player in the National Football League who has had [seven] starts, compared to other players who have either played for me or players that I have seen that have done it week in and week out. I don't think that is a knock on DeShone. My job is to help build this football team and build the future of this team. I still believe he is going to be in the future of this team, but in the meantime, if there is a way for us to get better – I know everybody keeps talking about winning, which is very important to me, very important in that locker room and very important to our fans – then I think it is only fair to be always looking to become better. I have heard all of the things said about taking this guy in and out. I have never ever seen more stories about that than ever in my life. That is part of growth of a quarterback. If a guy is not getting the job done, I don't care what position it is; you have to put somebody else in, and hopefully, they will learn and grow from that and get better. I think he has done that. I think he gets it. I think the message, which is loud and clear of what we are attempting to do, that is not a knock on him. That is just part of it. I think he has grown from all of these things that have happened. Hopefully, he will come out of the other side of it and do what we all feel he can do, but until then, all of these things are going to be said and written and all of that. I get that. I think he does, too, now."
On if Rams QB Jared Goff's second-year success is an example that Kizer could experience similar success following his rookie season:
"Oh, absolutely. I think a lot of these young men and us as coaches think these guys are ready to handle the National Football League. Sometimes it takes a little bit more time that what you think and maybe some things you thought were this aren't just that. That is OK, but as long as you have a plan to keep getting this guy better and you can see out the other side of it, then good things will happen. I totally believe in DeShone. I don't want anybody to think that I don't, regardless of what has gone on or what anybody thinks or says. I think what is important is that he is here, he is playing and he has to continue to get better. That is what he is in charge of. My job is to keep creating the environment for him to be the best he can be."
