October 16, 2025 • 7 mins
OC Kliff Kingsbury speaks to the media.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
To be back who are kind of key to the offense.
What's that challenge for you?
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Yeah, I mean everybody goes through it in this league,
but I think just we haven't consistently been able to
practice as a unit, you know, since training camp started,
and I think that's where maybe some of the inconsistency
is showing up, particularly on third downs. Just seems like
we're a little bit off. But as a play caller,
you just adapt to the personnel, and our staff has
(00:25):
done a great job getting those guys ready to play,
and the guys are making plays when they're have been
caught upon, and so it's been cool to see those
guys step up and make plays.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Did you notice the Bears playing you guys a little
bit differently than maybe you anticipated, with maybe some more
heavier boxes just because of maybe some of the injuries
on the outside.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, I think teams are going to challenge you with
a little more man coverage, if you know, they want
to see where you're at with white out and what
those guys can do. And I thought the guys responded
and made a bunch of plays.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
What kind of strang does that put on the quarterback
when you don't have the practice rep doesn't get terms
of getting timing down with receivers, And yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
It's been I think that's a great point. You bring
up that more than anything is if guys aren't practicing
during the week, or you haven't been able to consistently
work with a guy throughout training camp, throughout the season.
It's not easy when the pressure's on and the lights
are on to get on the same page. But like
I said, I think they've done a great job, and
Jaden's done a tremendous job of kind of lifting the
(01:21):
group up and has the guys playing at a high level.
And how's Sam Cosmey look since he's started practicing, still
working through it. You know, he's big, physical, looks big, strong, fast.
We'll see how that kind of progresses throughout the week,
but I think he's made stride, so I'm not sure
if it'd be this week, but I like what I've seen.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Hey, coach, kind of going back to that theme of
the wide receiver group. And just I know you've talked
a lot about time on task. You just s brought
it up, you know, a moment ago. What is your
overall assessment of this group? I know you have to elevate.
You know a couple of players from the practice squad,
So what is your overall assessment?
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Yeah, I think you know they're answering the call. I
think you look at Chris Moore ahead big touchdown catch.
You know, Luke continues to make plays. Jalen Lane gets
better and better each week. So I've been really impressed
with the guys that have been asked to step up.
They're doing it and it's not easy to do when
you haven't had as many reps as other guys, and
then all of a sudden you're kind of thrown in
(02:17):
there to be able to understand the offense. Xheut a
high level make plays when when the light's wrong. That's
says a lot about kind of their character and their mentality.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Cliff, what is Chris Paul doing to be successful in
your eyes? And how are you taking advantage of it
or what does that change for you.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
He's a guy who from day one us skinning hair
till now, I mean it looks like a different, completely
different human just the way he plays. He's changed, his
body really got in shape, and he's just a physical
presence for us in the run game, in the past game.
But he gets his hands on, he's really hard to
get around. And then just he's one of the best
communicators I've ever been around on the old line, really
(02:56):
talking through things, you know, talking through protection and run
game and points and things of that nature. So the
Old line really appreciates that about him, and so he's
just been a real pleasant surprise actually this season to
see him step up and you know that left side
with him in LT has really helped us run the
football well at times.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
And when it comes to running backs, putting the ball
on the ground obviously nothing you want when it's a
when it's a young guy like this. He is now
having a couple weeks in a row, presumably you've had
some kind of conversation, But what put for you? What
what's the I have the factor and he is young
versus Hey, it doesn't matter who's playing there. We can't
have that.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Yeah, there's a fine line to walk. I think that's
you know, we're bottom part of the league right now
in turn of a margin, and that's really holding us
back from kind of taking that next step I think
as a team. And Bill knows he has to protect
the foot ball. I mean that's first and foremost when
you talk about running back responsibilities, and I think he'll
continue to get better, continue to learn, And I've said it,
(03:53):
you know from the beginning, each game is a new
experience for him and he's gonna learn from and takeaway.
And it's two weeks in a row that put on
the ground and he knows the expectation moving forward is
that that can't happen.
Speaker 5 (04:06):
Luik McCaffrey seems to be making some some big plays
when he's on the field. With all the injuries at
the top of the wide receiver room, he's still only
getting about a third of the steps on offense. What
more do you need to see to him to get
him out on the field more often?
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Yeah, I think we have a good rotation with him
and we like like what he's doing the role he's
been in. But as the thing goes, he'll continue to
earn more reps and we'll see how these other guys
come back. I don't know timetables on everybody and when
they'll be back exactly, but yeah, I think I like
the progression he's at and when he's in there, he's
(04:39):
planning at a high level.
Speaker 6 (04:41):
Coach, when you right hit back here, with the tight
end room. You know, Zach made obviously a big play
the other night. How do you see the room progressing
now as far as the pass catching.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Side, Yeah, I mean Zach is one of the you know,
premiere route running pass catching tight ends in league history,
and so we call upon him in a lot of
those situations, third down, too many things like that. But John, Bates,
been Colson are all very equipped to do it as well.
They just haven't had as many opportunities because of Zach's
kind of presence in that room. But I really like
(05:12):
how that room's developed in the run game, in the
past game, and it's definitely an entire room that's ascending.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
Hey, you can have a new coach kind of following
up on the Luke mccaffreck question, his role on special teams,
I know his reps have kind of gone down.
Speaker 7 (05:25):
Actually, is his influence, I would say on the push
team has gone up. How much does that kind of
impact how much you can get him on the field
on offense as well?
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Yeah, there's some of that. Like I said, I think
we've brought him along at the pace that we wanted
to and I wanted to, and it'll continue to expand,
but it's definitely part of it. When he's returning kicks
like that, you want to make sure you don't wear
the guy out.
Speaker 7 (05:47):
Cliff more on zach Ertz. You know, previously the last
couple of games, I think he had two catches and
then no catches against the Chargers. In this past week
against the Bears, he had six catches. Was there a
point of emphasis to kind of get him more involved
because he's such so privotal on those type of spots.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Yeah, it's just how the game goes. We have a
lot of talented players, so it's gonna be weekend week out,
you know, when we have that full repertoire of skill
guys out there of who gets the ball and which
way the game goes. But he's a guy who's always
gonna be quarterback friendly. He's gonna present himself and be open,
and he made some real critical plays the other night,
(06:22):
the Cliff.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
When it comes to first and second down, you guys
are second in yards we played, but it drops to
twenty seventh on third down. It's even something that you've
noticed in terms of a trend of why you guys
are struggling on it down in particular.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
I have not. I wish I knew. You know, we're
working through that. We haven't played very well on third down.
I mean we're i know, near the bottom of the league,
and I think that, combined with the turn of a margin,
very fortunate to be five hundred at this point because
those are two critical areas. But you know, it starts
with me game plan and play calling, and then we
just have to the sense of focus and urgency on
(06:53):
that down and distance has to get better because we
have to continue to stay on the field and we
can't rely on fourth down every time to keep it rolling.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
This is a very specific question.
Speaker 6 (07:03):
What did you see on Jayden's interception?
Speaker 7 (07:05):
Was that like the right spot to deliver the ball
and it was just an off throw or what did
you see?
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah, I think there are a number of things that
went into that play, but I liked that he cut
a loose We just needed to be more detailed overall,
I'd say, as an offense on that play,
To be back who are kind of key to the offense.
What's that challenge for you?
Speaker 2 (00:04):
Yeah, I mean everybody goes through it in this league,
but I think just we haven't consistently been able to
practice as a unit, you know, since training camp started,
and I think that's where maybe some of the inconsistency
is showing up, particularly on third downs. Just seems like
we're a little bit off. But as a play caller,
you just adapt to the personnel, and our staff has
(00:25):
done a great job getting those guys ready to play,
and the guys are making plays when they're have been
caught upon, and so it's been cool to see those
guys step up and make plays.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
Did you notice the Bears playing you guys a little
bit differently than maybe you anticipated, with maybe some more
heavier boxes just because of maybe some of the injuries
on the outside.
Speaker 2 (00:41):
Yeah, I think teams are going to challenge you with
a little more man coverage, if you know, they want
to see where you're at with white out and what
those guys can do. And I thought the guys responded
and made a bunch of plays.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
What kind of strang does that put on the quarterback
when you don't have the practice rep doesn't get terms
of getting timing down with receivers, And yeah.
Speaker 2 (00:59):
It's been I think that's a great point. You bring
up that more than anything is if guys aren't practicing
during the week, or you haven't been able to consistently
work with a guy throughout training camp, throughout the season.
It's not easy when the pressure's on and the lights
are on to get on the same page. But like
I said, I think they've done a great job, and
Jaden's done a tremendous job of kind of lifting the
(01:21):
group up and has the guys playing at a high level.
And how's Sam Cosmey look since he's started practicing, still
working through it. You know, he's big, physical, looks big, strong, fast.
We'll see how that kind of progresses throughout the week,
but I think he's made stride, so I'm not sure
if it'd be this week, but I like what I've seen.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Hey, coach, kind of going back to that theme of
the wide receiver group. And just I know you've talked
a lot about time on task. You just s brought
it up, you know, a moment ago. What is your
overall assessment of this group? I know you have to elevate.
You know a couple of players from the practice squad,
So what is your overall assessment?
Speaker 2 (01:56):
Yeah, I think you know they're answering the call. I
think you look at Chris Moore ahead big touchdown catch.
You know, Luke continues to make plays. Jalen Lane gets
better and better each week. So I've been really impressed
with the guys that have been asked to step up.
They're doing it and it's not easy to do when
you haven't had as many reps as other guys, and
then all of a sudden you're kind of thrown in
(02:17):
there to be able to understand the offense. Xheut a
high level make plays when when the light's wrong. That's
says a lot about kind of their character and their mentality.
Speaker 4 (02:28):
Cliff, what is Chris Paul doing to be successful in
your eyes? And how are you taking advantage of it
or what does that change for you.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
He's a guy who from day one us skinning hair
till now, I mean it looks like a different, completely
different human just the way he plays. He's changed, his
body really got in shape, and he's just a physical
presence for us in the run game, in the past game.
But he gets his hands on, he's really hard to
get around. And then just he's one of the best
communicators I've ever been around on the old line, really
(02:56):
talking through things, you know, talking through protection and run
game and points and things of that nature. So the
Old line really appreciates that about him, and so he's
just been a real pleasant surprise actually this season to
see him step up and you know that left side
with him in LT has really helped us run the
football well at times.
Speaker 4 (03:14):
And when it comes to running backs, putting the ball
on the ground obviously nothing you want when it's a
when it's a young guy like this. He is now
having a couple weeks in a row, presumably you've had
some kind of conversation, But what put for you? What
what's the I have the factor and he is young
versus Hey, it doesn't matter who's playing there. We can't
have that.
Speaker 2 (03:31):
Yeah, there's a fine line to walk. I think that's
you know, we're bottom part of the league right now
in turn of a margin, and that's really holding us
back from kind of taking that next step I think
as a team. And Bill knows he has to protect
the foot ball. I mean that's first and foremost when
you talk about running back responsibilities, and I think he'll
continue to get better, continue to learn, And I've said it,
(03:53):
you know from the beginning, each game is a new
experience for him and he's gonna learn from and takeaway.
And it's two weeks in a row that put on
the ground and he knows the expectation moving forward is
that that can't happen.
Speaker 5 (04:06):
Luik McCaffrey seems to be making some some big plays
when he's on the field. With all the injuries at
the top of the wide receiver room, he's still only
getting about a third of the steps on offense. What
more do you need to see to him to get
him out on the field more often?
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Yeah, I think we have a good rotation with him
and we like like what he's doing the role he's
been in. But as the thing goes, he'll continue to
earn more reps and we'll see how these other guys
come back. I don't know timetables on everybody and when
they'll be back exactly, but yeah, I think I like
the progression he's at and when he's in there, he's
(04:39):
planning at a high level.
Speaker 6 (04:41):
Coach, when you right hit back here, with the tight
end room. You know, Zach made obviously a big play
the other night. How do you see the room progressing
now as far as the pass catching.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
Side, Yeah, I mean Zach is one of the you know,
premiere route running pass catching tight ends in league history,
and so we call upon him in a lot of
those situations, third down, too many things like that. But John, Bates,
been Colson are all very equipped to do it as well.
They just haven't had as many opportunities because of Zach's
kind of presence in that room. But I really like
(05:12):
how that room's developed in the run game, in the
past game, and it's definitely an entire room that's ascending.
Speaker 4 (05:18):
Hey, you can have a new coach kind of following
up on the Luke mccaffreck question, his role on special teams,
I know his reps have kind of gone down.
Speaker 7 (05:25):
Actually, is his influence, I would say on the push
team has gone up. How much does that kind of
impact how much you can get him on the field
on offense as well?
Speaker 2 (05:31):
Yeah, there's some of that. Like I said, I think
we've brought him along at the pace that we wanted
to and I wanted to, and it'll continue to expand,
but it's definitely part of it. When he's returning kicks
like that, you want to make sure you don't wear
the guy out.
Speaker 7 (05:47):
Cliff more on zach Ertz. You know, previously the last
couple of games, I think he had two catches and
then no catches against the Chargers. In this past week
against the Bears, he had six catches. Was there a
point of emphasis to kind of get him more involved
because he's such so privotal on those type of spots.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
Yeah, it's just how the game goes. We have a
lot of talented players, so it's gonna be weekend week out,
you know, when we have that full repertoire of skill
guys out there of who gets the ball and which
way the game goes. But he's a guy who's always
gonna be quarterback friendly. He's gonna present himself and be open,
and he made some real critical plays the other night,
(06:22):
the Cliff.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
When it comes to first and second down, you guys
are second in yards we played, but it drops to
twenty seventh on third down. It's even something that you've
noticed in terms of a trend of why you guys
are struggling on it down in particular.
Speaker 2 (06:32):
I have not. I wish I knew. You know, we're
working through that. We haven't played very well on third down.
I mean we're i know, near the bottom of the league,
and I think that, combined with the turn of a margin,
very fortunate to be five hundred at this point because
those are two critical areas. But you know, it starts
with me game plan and play calling, and then we
just have to the sense of focus and urgency on
(06:53):
that down and distance has to get better because we
have to continue to stay on the field and we
can't rely on fourth down every time to keep it rolling.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
This is a very specific question.
Speaker 6 (07:03):
What did you see on Jayden's interception?
Speaker 7 (07:05):
Was that like the right spot to deliver the ball
and it was just an off throw or what did
you see?
Speaker 2 (07:10):
Yeah, I think there are a number of things that
went into that play, but I liked that he cut
a loose We just needed to be more detailed overall,
I'd say, as an offense on that play,
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