Are you seeing the speed of the game starting to slow down for some of the rookies?
Absolutely, we’re starting to see the game slow down for several of our rookies. That’s always the hope around midseason — that their instincts begin to take over and the hesitation fades. Traore is a great example. He’s been earning more snaps, partly due to injuries in the pass rush rotation, but mostly because he’s taken advantage of every opportunity we’ve given him. He’s starting to play faster, more confident, and that’s showing up in the backfield.
On the offensive side, you know rookie linemen always take a little time to get settled. It’s a huge jump in speed and complexity at this level, but we’re very pleased with the way they’re adjusting. You can see the reps paying off — better communication, cleaner execution, and stronger finishes in the run game.
As for the backfield, with Rachaad White out, Havis and Lewellen have both been asked to step into big roles, and they’ve delivered. They’re running hard, protecting the football, and showing versatility in the passing game as well.
Defensively, we’re deep at linebacker, but Ahmed Campbell just keeps pushing. His motor doesn’t stop, and he’s earned more time based on effort and performance. So yes, to answer your question — the speed of the game is starting to slow down for a lot of these young guys, and it’s exciting to watch their development in real time.
I want to ask you about the receiver position in general. How have you seen that position evolve in importance over the years and how does having a player like WR Tai Felton sort of factor into that perspective?
That position has absolutely evolved into one of the most critical spots on the field in today’s game. The way offenses have opened up, especially in the PML, it’s no longer just about a possession guy or a deep threat — you need complete receivers who can run the full route tree, create separation, block when needed, and be mentally sharp enough to adjust to coverage on the fly. Defenses are faster, more complex, and more physical than ever, so the margin for error at wide receiver is razor thin.
That’s where a guy like Tai Felton comes in. He’s not just a product of the scheme — he is the matchup problem. In my eyes, Tai Felton is the best receiver in football, and it’s because he embodies everything the modern game demands at that position. His route running is elite, he’s got top-end speed, toughness over the middle, and his football IQ is off the charts. He forces defenses to account for him every snap, and that opens up everything else we do offensively.
So yes, the position has evolved — but players like Tai Felton define that evolution. He’s not just part of the game plan, he is the game plan some weeks.
The defense is getting a lot of criticism lately for their level of play. Are you planning to make any changes?
We have conversations with our guys at the beginning of every season about what complementary football looks like for this team. We’re a supremely talented roster across the board, but we’re also realistic about how the game flows. When your offense scores a lot—and scores quickly—it puts a different kind of pressure on the defense. More possessions, more snaps, more aggressive play calls from opponents who are often in catch-up mode. That’s just the nature of the beast.
Our defense is built to play sound, opportunistic football. We don’t ask them to be the ’85 Bears—we ask them to get us a couple stops, force a takeaway or two, and get the ball back to the offense. If we’re doing that consistently, we’re doing our job. Are there things we’d like to clean up? Absolutely. We’d like to see our scoring defense and yardage numbers come down to league average or better. But the context matters. We know how explosive our offense is, and that impacts how teams attack us.
We’re not panicking, and we’re not overhauling. We’re continuing to coach details, situational awareness, and effort. If we can tighten up in a few areas, this defense will do exactly what we need it to do to win games deep into the season.
