Eagles WR Jahan Dotson (Press Conference Transcript)
Eagles WR Jahan Dotson
On his initial reaction being traded from the Washington Commanders:
“Yeah, you know, it was a shock just because all I know in the NFL is the Washington Commanders. At the end of the day, it’s a business and I understand that very much so. It all happens so fast, and you don’t kind of get to react to it, but you know, I would say being out here today and being on the field and kind of taking the field and taking it all in a little bit, you know, I’m very excited. It got me like, I got goosebumps, leaving the field today, just because Philly growing up only an hour, hour and a half away from here, you understand the passion. You understand how much people care about the Eagles. Seeing the fans go crazy, literally after a third preseason game, it was exciting. It got me a little excited to be here.”
On what Eagles RB Saquan Barkley’s advice was to him after the trade:
“I talked to him right after, literally like an hour after I got traded. He told me just to keep my head up and come here and work. That’s all we’re trying to do here is win games. We have a great thing going here. Great coaching staff, great locker room. So just come in, put your head down and work, and let’s get to winning games.”
On whether there was contact with the Eagles during his pre-draft process:
“Yeah, I had a good amount. I came here on a 30 visit. I talked to [Eagles Head] Coach [Nick] Sirianni a good bit. I had a pretty good relationship with [Eagles Executive Vice President/General Manager] Mr. Howie Roseman. So yeah, I feel like it was a, it was a little bit of communication going on between us during the pre-draft process.”
On the explanation he received from the Washington Commanders:
“Yeah, I talked to [Commanders Head] Coach Dan Quinn and [Commanders General Manager] Mr. Adam Peters. They told me they think very highly of me. It was kind of just something that happens. These things happen all the time in the NFL, you know? So I didn’t, I’m not going to take it personal until I see Washington, but you know, it’s exciting. I’m excited to be here. I can’t wait to put on the black and green and I can’t wait to get to work.”
On his offensive role with the Eagles:
“By doing anything possible to help this team win, get in where I fit in, and make the most of my opportunities, make the most of my role, getting to know my role right away. I don’t know what that’s going to be yet. I just got here a couple days ago. We have a lot of weapons, and I look at that as a great thing. You know, we have a lot of people who can make a lot of plays, so it’s going to be fun. I’ve never, in all of my years of playing, been on a team with this much talent. I’m not only excited to play with them, I’m excited to learn, because we have a lot of great guys in the locker room from top to bottom. So I’m really excited for the opportunity.”
On how much he’s been able to study the playbook:
“That’s all on me at the end of the day. How much I devote myself into the playbook, and I know the type of person I am. I want to get on the field right away, so I’m going to do everything possible in my power to make sure that I’m ready when that opportunity comes. So these past couple days, I’ve been diving in the playbook with [Wide Receivers Coach Aaron Moorehead] coming in here early in the morning. Actually right before the game, just sitting in the classroom for a couple hours. We literally are going to meet tonight, have a little zoom call and just try to get at it. Because it isn’t a lot of time. We play two weeks from now. So you know getting to be as familiar as possible with the playbook is the big thing so I can just go out there and play fast and play carefree.”
On whether he’s worked with Eagles WR A.J. Brown, WR DeVonta Smith, or QB Jalen Hurts yet:
“Not too much just because I just got here and I’m just kind of getting used to everything, and kind of getting introduced to the playbook a little bit. I’ve been having conversations with those guys about everything that’s going on and what they have going on here, so I know I’ll fit right in. I’m just kind of stepping in and kind of getting to work on this playbook and trying to get to learn everything.”
On whether he is more comfortable playing the outside or inside WR position and if he has a preference:
“I wouldn’t say so. I’m pretty comfortable doing either one, whatever they ask me to do. I’m going to do it to fullest of my capability. Yeah that’s pretty much all it is. I’m comfortable doing whatever, wherever they put me.”
On what his relationship is with Eagles WR A.J. Brown:
“Yeah we built a little bit of a relationship, being that we were working out together in the offseason. It was pretty much just competing with each other, you know, putting in the grind. He’s a fellow receiver, so, you know, as much as I can learn from him, as much as he can learn from me, it’s great being that you have someone like that. They get to push you every day in the offseason to try to get better and get to your goal.”
On whether being a first-round pick put extra pressure on him:
“No, not at all. I dreamed of being a first round pick all my life. I prepared myself at the same time to be one. That was the goal, and I achieved that. Every day I step out on the field is my opportunity to show you guys why I feel like I should be a first round pick. So that’s what I’m looking forward to doing.”
On what he wants to improve on as a receiver:
“Honestly, it’s completely different being that now I’m here in Philadelphia, and I’m learning something completely new being with a different organization. They have different standards, different ways of doing things. [Eagles WR Coach Aaron Moorehead] let me know that already. I feel like for me it’s getting to know the playbook, getting to know the way they do things around here. I kind of refer to it as going through different offenses in the NFL, everyone kind of preaches the same thing, but they say it a different way. So I feel like it’s like learning a different language. That’s how I refer to it. So going from Chinese to Spanish as fast as possible is how I would put it, and that will enable me to play fast, play carefree, and be the best version of myself.”
On whether he was an Eagles fan growing up in Nazareth, PA:
“No, I hate to say it, but I was never an Eagles fan. But you know, I’m making my whole family Eagles fans today.”