Quarterback Aidan O’Connell

Q: How important was it for you to finish the last three games of the season and show your best on the pitch?

O’Connell: “Yeah, I just said: definitely try not to take things for granted and every rep counts and try to be there for my teammates and coaches as much as possible and just “Being out there so much.” It was nice to come back. It’s been a year full of ups and downs, a frustrating year in that sense, but it was fun to end it.

Q: How important was it for the boys to help Jakobi Meyers reach the 1,000-yard mark?

O’Connell: “Yeah, I think Kobs (Jakobi Meyers) deserves it, first of all. He’s a great player, a great guy. He works super hard and is really consistent for us, and I think we’ll really reach that milestone. “Just emphasizes that aspect of him and what he means to our team.”

Q: How did you feel after that game after being a little shaken up?

O’Connell: “Yeah, I’m fine. Just a little crazy.”

Q: How do you feel about what you caught on tape this season? Not just this game, but throughout the entire duration of the game. How do you rate it?

O’Connell: “Yeah, I think definitely I would like a few things back, a few games back, a few plays back, but also make some good plays. We’re going to use the offseason to reflect, really go over everything again and then get started. “I’m working on getting better next year and highlighting my strengths and eliminating the weaknesses. So it’s an abrupt end for some time and then get back to work.

Q: Obviously you played well before halftime and got aggressive there on the last drive. What happened to the interception?

O’Connell: “Yes. Just a bad ball from me. I just threw it up to Alex (Mattison). Yeah, just a tough play that put our defense in a bad spot, which you can’t do.”

Q: Jakobi Meyers mentioned that Antonio Pierce held this team together through all the ups and downs throughout the season. How did he do that?

O’Connell: “Yeah, I think it’s hard. He’s the guy that has to be up there every day and talk to us and keep trying to motivate us. But I think he did great and really tried to speak to the guys who wanted to keep fighting. Obviously we had a long break, we didn’t win a game, but the guys kept working, doing the right things and just trying to push through.

Q: How proud were you of your teammates for sticking together and not giving up even though it was a bad skid?

O’Connell: “Yeah, I think it’s great. What I’m definitely learning now is the end of my second year, there are no wasted years in the NFL, even if you don’t win as many games as you hope or play as well as you hope. I just think it’s great to build relationships, obviously with coaches and with my other teammates. So, yes, I will definitely remember a busy year, but I think these years are something you learn to appreciate later. So I know I will look back and appreciate this year.

Q: What is your biggest takeaway from this season? And how do you take that, whatever that is, into next season and look forward?

O’Connell: “Yeah, I think it’s just an ups and downs year for me personally and a tough year for our team. So, like I said, I just try to be grateful and not take things for granted and when I’m on the field, I understand how priceless those reps are and just try to take every rep as if it would be my last. Yes, it’s been difficult being in and out like that, but as we discussed before, I’m just grateful to my teammates for having my back and we can win some games here down the stretch.

Q: Antonio Pierce also said that you have grown into a leader this year and have become more vocal about what you want to champion on this team. How did you see this progress for yourself over the year?

O’Connell: “Yeah, I think there’s just a natural maturation that happens as you get older in the NFL. Like I said, I’m now done with my second year and you just see things differently than when you started.” I’ve gotten back into the league and I think it’s appealing to my teammates and I especially want to try and get them Building relationships with these guys and I just try to do my best to put one foot forward every day to do that.”

Make sure you follow on X (Twitter). @HondoCarpenter and IG @HondoSr and never miss a breaking news story again.

Please let us know what you think if you like our Facebook page BY CLICKING HERE