HEAD COACH MIKE VRABEL

Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, August 21, 2025

How did you come to the decision to approach the game the way you did with Drake and a lot of starters sidelined?

MIKE VRABEL: Just a short week, we had a couple good days that you guys were able to watch. That's kind of where I was, decided to do that, give us a chance to evaluate some other players.

Big picture, how do you feel about this roster going into the regular season?

MIKE VRABEL: Again, we're going to continually try to strengthen the roster every way we can. There's a couple options, right? You can try to trade for players. You could try to claim some players next week.

Again, we're always going to be trying to strengthen the roster. That's what we'll try to do here over the course of the next 10 days.

Your thoughts on the joint practices, the preseason game, the training camp?

MIKE VRABEL: I think it's a good example. Where we're at, again, is still building and developing. But you can see when we were able to do these things in other games, that happened to us tonight, we were able to win.

It's a clear and easy example to show the team that when we give up X plays or we have penalties on defense, that's going to lead to scores and touchdowns. When we can't get into drives, we're going to struggle. Obviously, the turnovers, when we turn the football over, we give up big plays on defense.

It will be easy to teach from, just to show where we were in other games, than where we were tonight.

What were you happiest with over the course of the last month?

MIKE VRABEL: I think that's probably a tough question right now. Disappointed with just how we played or executed. But, I mean, I think that the guys, I think there's glimpses of football in which we'd like to play it. Continuing to improve each day.

We're so far from being where we need to be. Just trying to get that message across, stringing one good day together, putting another day together.

We've got four big days this week that we'll really have to work.

Kicking-wise, how do you feel Andy is doing?

MIKE VRABEL: I think he's hitting the ball okay. I think we expect to make those kicks. We'll just have to kind of see where this thing plays out.

Again, we have two kickers that we have a lot of faith in. I think, again, swung it pretty well. I just don't think it went in. Obviously wasn't straight enough.

Last week was just disappointed in the operation, in the manner in which he got out there in a timely fashion and kind of rushed it. That I thought improved. But we didn't make the one we needed to make, the long one, tonight.

Saw a lot of Peppers out there. Is that because he hadn't seen a lot in the preseason yet?

MIKE VRABEL: No. Again, we got to have 11 out there. Wanted him to see him play with Craig, alongside. Pep has played a couple different spots. Wanted to just see him play safety alongside Craig.

I know he's played some nickel, in the box on third down, he's played some different places. Tonight where we wanted to see him was alongside Craig playing safety exclusively.

Same thing with Keion? He was on the field whereas other guys who have been starters or first-team guys not out there.

MIKE VRABEL: Because I decided and talked to Keion and wanted to see him work on some things and continue to develop and try to continue to improve.

He was excited about playing. He wanted to play more. That's kind of our whole job, is to be ready to play and prepared until told otherwise. Just try to work on some things that we had been talking about and do it in game action.

Kyle Dugger, you said he needed to continue to learn and progress.

MIKE VRABEL: Yeah, I think he's continued to take advantage of the opportunities and the reps. I think he's feeling more comfortable. We talked about a long rehab process in the off-\season that he committed to. It wasn't a quick rehab process. I mean, he had surgery.

I think that he's gotten better. I think he's improved. I think he's feeling better. Looks like he's feeling better on tape. That's good to see. Those are all positive things. Making a play, two interceptions. I thought he flashed. I thought he triggered. I thought he tackled. I thought his length showed up. All these things.

We didn't blitz anybody tonight, didn't do any of that. Just playing in our base scheme. Those things I thought showed up tonight.

Anything more the next four days to keep in mind before what happens on Tuesday?

MIKE VRABEL: I mean, we put a lot into this, into the players, getting to know them. The roster is going to change. That's part of the business that we're in. We always want to make those transactions as respectful as possible. That's part of the game. That's kind of the life we've chosen.

There will be some conversations that we'll have with players over the next few days. We'll keep those obviously very respectful. Hopefully some of those guys can either end up back on our team or somebody else's.

There was a report today that Ja'Lynn Polk will have season-ending shoulder surgery. Can you add anything to that?

MIKE VRABEL: No. Other than I'd like to find out where some of these come from. Some of these rats around here. We'll figure that out.

You said that you were going to finalize the offensive line once it becomes clear. How do you feel the competition at left guard is going? Are you nearing a decision?

MIKE VRABEL: Full disclosure, I had that conversation with Zolak just earlier today. I don't think anytime from the time that I talked about it today with him till now has gotten any clearer. But if it does, I'll let you know. I only made that comment to him eight hours ago.

Pregame interview.

MIKE VRABEL: Pregame interview, sorry (smiling).

What encourages you about this team? Where you're at now, what do you think going into this regular season? What do you like about your football team?

MIKE VRABEL: I think we started to have an identity. I think that again, you have to put it on tape each and every day. I thought we were heading in the right direction.

Doesn't matter who you play in this league, it's got to come from your team. Your team has to look a certain way. Whether it's the first string guys or the guys that are trying to build some depth and be multiple-position backups, special teams players, role players, that has to carry through.

I liked where we were starting to go defensively, showing some glimpses of the team defense. I thought our special teams unit did some nice things. We didn't have as many opportunities tonight. There will be some young players that I'm excited about that maybe we haven't heard a whole lot from that are continuing to improve.

Seems like Caedan cross-trained less than some other guys. Any reason behind that?

MIKE VRABEL: We always hoped he would be in that competition. Got injured. Missed a few days. Came back. Gave him a large opportunity there at left guard today. That's kind of where we're starting to make strides I think in the off-season. We'll just continue to coach him. He's gotten reps at other places in practice. Maybe that hasn't shown up as much in the games.

Thanks, guys. Safe travels.

QUARTERBACK BEN WOOLDRIDGE

Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, August 21, 2025

Your thoughts on going out there? What was it like for you?

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: I think it was difficult. I mean, would have liked a better outcome. Got some things to clean up and get better at.

Take us through the touchdown pass, highlights. What did you see on that play? Jeremiah was thrilled to be able to leap into the crowd.

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: Yeah, he's been talking about that for four weeks, doing the Lambeau Leap at MetLife.

Good drive altogether by the offense at the end of the first half. Finally got some things moving. Got the ball moving, yeah.

At what point did you know you'd be playing today?

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: I'm going to say Tuesday afternoon during meetings.

What was your reaction when you did find out?

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: Cool, let's get it. That's the only reaction you can have, right? Yeah, it's exciting. Yeah, those are the words I said, cool, let's get it.

What did you learn tonight? Certainly didn't go your way at times.

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: I think in this league, right, the quarterback plays well, your team plays well, your offense plays well.

I think I got to clean up a bunch of things. I think that's from all the weeks. There's always something to clean up. Yeah, I think that's the biggest thing to learn. If you want to move the ball, you got to be on your Ps and Qs every single play.

What has it been like the last four weeks being part of this operation?

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: I think it's been a cool experience and unique. Everything's new being a rookie, right? Going through the whole process of the Draft, OTAs, camp, everything's new. You're just kind of getting good at reacting and producing with the unknown. So yeah...

What can you tell us about Jeremiah Webb?

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: He's the best person ever. He's awesome. Like if you ever need to laugh, if you need somebody to talk to, go to Webby. That dude's awesome. He went to South Iowa, which is a rival of UL. At first I wouldn't talk to him.

Get to know him through OTAs, get to know him through the couple weeks we had off, he's like the best dude ever. Just great personality and great football player.

What you've been through in these three pre-season games, how much hungrier are you to get into the NFL and establish yourself?

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: More than ever. I don't think that ever changed because right from the start I was hungry, right? Get an opportunity, run with it, yeah.

Have you enjoyed being a part of the quarterback room?

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: I've enjoyed it a lot. Drake is an awesome guy. Dobbs is awesome. Dobbs has been through it all, seen it all. Any question, anything that comes up, go to Dobbs and he'll have an answer.

Was mom able to make it?

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: Mom was here. Yes, sir, of course. Left this morning at 6, got here right before the buses were leaving at what time, 4. She got to the hotel at 4, saw her for 10 minutes, we're on the bus. Saw her just right there.

Any thoughts before Tuesday?

BEN WOOLDRIDGE: You look too far ahead, it will eat you alive. So just take it one day at a time, see what happens.

WIDE RECEIVER JEREMIAH WEBB

Postgame Press Conference
Thursday, August 21, 2025

Exciting – made some plays today. How did that feel?

JEREMIAH WEBB: That felt good. Just being able to continue inspiring those where I come from, that's the main goal when I step on that field.

What was the jumping in the crowd, what led to that?

JEREMIAH WEBB: I already had it made up since the first pre-season game. I said if I get in the end zone, I'm Lambeau Leaper. That's always been a dream of mine. That was the first.

What was it like to live out the dream?

JEREMIAH WEBB: It was awesome, man (smiling).

Where do you think you improved the most since the start of camp?

JEREMIAH WEBB: Really just being able to come out here and compete at a high level. I know I always had it in me. I've always been an underdog. It just felt good to finally be able to prove myself.

You had a multitude of returns, but how did that take shape for you?

JEREMIAH WEBB: What do you mean?

The return, the nice return up the middle.

JEREMIAH WEBB: You're saying what (do) I see on the field? It is God out there. God and instincts. I just go out there and move off instinct.

Pretty good instinct…

JEREMIAH WEBB: Yeah, first time doing 'em (smiling).

For those watching at home and the game, can you explain where you came from?

JEREMIAH WEBB: I'm from Chicago. Family from the south side of Chicago. Grew up on the west side. I know they're proud of me right now. Like I said, just being able to continue to inspire them, give them hope, knowing that we can make it from nothing.

What are your expectations now? Tuesday is a big day. You're closer to your dream. What is your mindset?

JEREMIAH WEBB: Same thing. Same thing. Continue to prepare how I've been preparing. Just leaving it in God's hands.

Was it nice to be able to make a play?

JEREMIAH WEBB: Yeah. I told you I wanted the Lambeau Leap. Felt good to finally Lambeau Leap.

What has it been like to play for (Head) Coach (Mike) Vrabel?

JEREMIAH WEBB: Awesome. I love Coach Vrabes. Never no gray area with him. That's what I love the most. I come talk to him if I want to. Just him being so interactive with us. That's what I pretty much love the most.

After the touchdown, he came over and shook your hand. What did he say to you?

JEREMIAH WEBB: They were calling me snowball. All I was hearing was, "Snowball, snowball."

Have you had a chance to check your phone yet?

JEREMIAH WEBB: I did.

How many messages? 0

JEREMIAH WEBB: A lot of them. A lot of them from people back home. Like I said, just letting me know how proud they (are) of me. I'm receiving a lot of love right now, man.

One thing you can't coach is speed. If things don't work out here, potential practice squad, would you be excited about that?

JEREMIAH WEBB: Like I said, it's all in God's hands. Whatever the future may hold for me, so be it. I'm grateful for whatever opportunity come my way.

How much fun has this been for you? Looks like you're on Cloud 9 now.

JEREMIAH WEBB: Actually a lot of fun. Like I said, man, I'm living out the dream. The odds that I had to beat to get to where I am now, they've been slim to none. So just finally being able to get here, like I say, show those where I come from that we can do that. Man, I'm having a blast.