Doug Pederson

Q. When we talked with you last night you talked about the change of pace, that’s why you were rotating back and forth between QB Jalen Hurts and QB Carson Wentz for a couple of snaps. But we only saw Jalen for a few of those snaps. I’m curious why we didn’t see more of that rotation and if we will see more of that rotation in the future? (Kristen Rodgers)

DOUG PEDERSON: Well, as you guys watched the game, and of course as we were living it out in real-time, one of the things — for us I guess to use any of our personnel, and in this case, we’re talking about Jalen and Carson, for me it’s about getting in a rhythm, getting into the flow of the game, getting in a consistent flow where we’re positive on first down.

That particular sequence, I believe the first down, first and 10, was right before the second quarter. Then it became a second-down play, second and 10 actually. Went with Jalen. We had a false start. Went to second and 15. We threw a pass to [WR] Alshon [Jeffery] that was a short route. Supposed to be a little bit deeper; it went a little bit short; it was complete. Now we’re third and 8, I believe, and went back to Carson on third down.

It’s kind of how our whole first quarter and a half went for us, just no rhythm. So, for me, would I like to get into a flow and use Jalen in a couple of situations? I think that’s feasible. It’s possible. It’s been productive for us.

But our first and second-down production has to be better.

Q. Kind of a follow-up on that. You talked about flow and rhythm. You played quarterback for a long time. Just your personal philosophy, if you were playing and somebody pulled you off for a couple plays, how would that affect you in getting into that flow and rhythm? (John McMullen)

DOUG PEDERSON: Well, it happened to me back in 1999, so I have firsthand experience of that. My philosophy is we do whatever it takes to spark the offense, whatever it takes to win a football game and be successful.

And, look, I mean, I know it may — people may think it’s different and you can’t get a guy into a rhythm or whatever, but when you struggle as an offense you’re looking for ways to create some plays.

The struggles we had last night weren’t from the quarterback position. It was a bunch of mistakes from all positions that caused us to not be as successful.

But as far as the rotation goes, you would like to be in a little bit more of a rhythm. If it were Jalen in there, maybe he goes a couple plays in a row; obviously if Carson is in there, he takes the bulk of the action.

They’re both professionals and they understand and expect nothing less.

Q. On the topic of the play calling, in the past when we’ve asked you about those responsibilities you’ve been resistant to giving them up. Is that still your position, or have you considered allowing a different coach to call plays as a way to try to spark the offense? (Zach Berman)

DOUG PEDERSON: I take pride in play calling and I look at everything. I got to take everything into consideration. If I feel like I get stuck or in a rut, I definitely would consider giving that up.

So, it’s definitely on the table. I wouldn’t say that’s off the table. But that’s also part of sparking the offense and maybe seeing the offense through somebody else’s eyes.

Q. Speaking of sparking the offense, I think the thing that a lot of fans struggle with, I just re-watched the game, 20 minutes into the game you had four yards of offense. I know you guys worked really hard all week and plan and you are competent people. Why? What’s going on that this happens? (Les Bowen)

DOUG PEDERSON: It’s honestly a really good question, and I struggle with the whys. You know me, I’m not going to sit here and throw people under the bus. We can do that during the week of preparation and practice.

Guys just have to understand the sense of urgency that it takes to play a game and to prepare not only coaching, but also players. It’s a long season. The season is a grind. It’s a tough sport mentally and physically, and probably more so mentally than anything else.

And it’s frustrating because we do prep and practice and study and meet all week long, and coaches spend countless hours putting game plans together and trying to somehow come up with a plan that can beat your opponent.

And then whether it’s execution or sometimes physically you just get beat, it’s a frustrating thing. It’s something that we have got to — again, if it goes back to simplifying game plans, we can keep simplifying as much as we can. We’ve got a lot of moving parts, a lot of moving pieces, particularly in the offensive line. I alluded to that a little bit this morning on the phone, that continuity and stability.

That’s also been an issue with us. Some young players on the perimeter, new targets that Carson is throwing to. So, we’re definitely not where we want to be, that’s for sure. We’re going to continue to work to improve.

Q. Were you on board with the Jalen Hurts draft pick when it happened? (Jeff McLane)

DOUG PEDERSON: Yes, I was. Why?

Q. Because I’m wondering because it hasn’t exactly played out the way you guys — at least the way that Executive Vice President/General Manager Howie Roseman originally said that he would be utilized on offense. It seems to have undermined you to some extent, and Carson Wentz. (Jeff McLane)

DOUG PEDERSON: I don’t understand where you’re coming from. Every year we look at quarterbacks. Every year we — if we have an opportunity to take a quarterback, we’re going to take a quarterback; at least look at the position.

Every position is looked at and studied, and wherever we can help and add talent and depth, we’re going to do that. The quarterback position is not exempt from that. This is a sport where there is only one quarterback that plays, and Carson is that player right now and we go to work.

We continue to coach Jalen and get him prepared if he has to go in and play.

Q. As you know when teams start losing, the issue of job security comes up. Two-part question for you. First, have you received assurances that you’ll be able to see it through this season as head coach? (Tim McManus)

DOUG PEDERSON: I haven’t been reassured one way or the other, no.

Q. The second part is do you feel like the way things are going that your job is in jeopardy at least following the season? (Tim McManus)

DOUG PEDERSON: Listen, I’ve been around this league a long time, 25 years I believe as a player and a coach, and we’re always based on and evaluated on our performance.

Right now, that’s obviously not my concern as far as that decision goes. That’s out of my hands. But what’s in my hands and in my control is getting the team prepared and ready for Green Bay this weekend.

So, I’m not going there mentally. I’m looking forward to playing again this week, getting back on the grass tomorrow with the players, and getting ready for Green Bay.

Q. Along those lines, there have been some reports of mounting frustration from ownership. Curious what your interactions have been like recently with Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey Lurie and how much pressure are you feeling from the very top of the organization? (Dave Zangaro)

DOUG PEDERSON: Our relationship is good. We communicate a lot throughout the week. We have our typical weekly meeting and cover a lot of ground.

But that relationship is good. Listen, some of these questions might be for Mr. Lurie obviously, but my job is to prepare the team and get ready for Green Bay.

Q. Along those lines, has Jeffrey Lurie weighed in on the state of the quarterback position and how to handle that for the rest of the season? (Bo Wulf)

DOUG PEDERSON: No, he hasn’t. Again, that’s my decision as the head football coach. I make a lot of personnel decisions, but this one is my decision if and when we make that change, but right now, we’re not doing that.

Q. We’ve heard you take blame for what’s happening. We’ve heard players take blame and ownership for what’s happening. In your conversations with Jeffrey Lurie, how much responsibility has the front office taken for the personnel decisions that have contributed to you guys being in this position? (Rob Maaddi)

DOUG PEDERSON: Those conversations are private. I’m not going to get into that. This is not the time or the place to really get into those types of conversations.

Q. You’re always very optimistic with your team, as you should be. And as a guy who takes a lot of pride in the offense and your play calling and a guy who has been a quarterback in this league for so long, I can sense it’s really frustrating for you to not have the answers on how to fix the offense. Could you describe that frustration because that’s what it feels like? (Jamie Apody)

DOUG PEDERSON: Again, like I said, I’ve been around a long time. The only way to fix the frustrations and to get out of and underneath this cloud that we’re in or under, quite frankly, is to just continue to go to work and practice hard and continue to show on tape the good, the bad, mistakes that are being made; make those corrections.

And, I mean, we’ve got a left tackle that this is — basically football is new to him. He’s learning how to play this game. A right tackle that doesn’t have a ton of experience, but he’s played. He’s learning how to play the game.

Gosh, we took an All-Pro left tackle and he has given of himself to play right guard. Then there are young people on the outside. It’s not perfect, by no means, and we have to continue to work. That’s the only way I know how. There is no magic football play. There is no magic defense or special teams or — it’s a matter of just going to work during the week and climbing yourself out of it.

Everybody has to take ownership of it. Myself, to the coaches, to the players. That’s the only way I know how to fix it and work ourselves out of it.

Q. A little earlier you said that you would consider giving up play calling if you felt like you were in a rut. Do you feel that way that you are in a rut right now? Also, do you think Carson is salvageable? What are you seeing as far as being wrong with him? (Martin Frank)

DOUG PEDERSON: On the play calling front, no. I don’t necessarily feel like I’m in a rut right now. I think that as I said earlier, things are still on the table. If I feel like I ever get to that spot, then I would consider for a game, a half, or whatever, letting somebody else do that if that helps us win.

Carson, again – salvageable, that’s a strange word. Yes, I do. I think that he is willing, wanting to fix not only the issues with him, but with the team and with the offense. He’s one of the hardest workers we got, and we’re going to work through it and battle through it and keep coaching and coaching hard and being accountable to one another and working ourselves out of it.

Q. Just why the hesitation to not at least give Jalen Hurts at least one series? You took him out on the third and 8. Why not let him see if he can play his way through that. The team didn’t have a first down to that point. Why go back to Carson in that situation? (Ed Kracz)

DOUG PEDERSON: That was just my decision at the time, honestly. That’s it: my decision. I can sit here and look back — I’m not going to hypothetical and I’m not going to say it would’ve made a difference, but that was my decision.

Q. I know you guys have been frustrated with the things that you’ve done on offense that kind of set you back behind the chains, the false starts and penalties and whatnot. There was a time where you guys were able to overcome things like that. Third and long seemed to be like Carson Wentz’s wheelhouse. It’s not really that way anymore. Can you win with such a small margin for error? (Nick Fierro)

DOUG PEDERSON: Not right now we can’t. We can’t be making these mistakes week in and week out and expect to win.

I will say, and you guys aren’t even talking about how well the defense played last night with the two huge couple of red zone stops and all of that, and really how well they played to keep us in this football game. Still had an opportunity whether it be an onside kick, or you make the fourth and 4, whatever it is, you still have an opportunity to still pull out that football game.

I know everybody is enamored with offense, as probably they should be, but this is a team sport. We have got to be cohesive in all three phases and play complementary football. That’s something all season we have not done.