Head Coach Brian Daboll

BRIAN DABOLL: I know we just put out a statement releasing (quarterback) Daniel (Jones). I wish Daniel the best. He came in this morning, had a meeting with (President and Chief Executive Officer) Mr. (John) Mara and then after discussing with John, with (Senior Vice President and General Manager) Joe (Schoen) and with Daniel (Jones), felt this was the best thing for Daniel. I got a lot of respect for him. Like I've said, a true pro and wish him all the best.

Q: We spoke to him yesterday. He was speaking in the past tense, so we all obviously kind of felt that happening. But was there any benefit for him to stick around, in your opinion, or do you think this was just the right move for everybody involved?

BRIAN DABOLL: I got a ton of respect for him. Again, he came in and talked to Mr. Mara, had a good conversation. I've had a conversation with Daniel (Jones), a couple of them today, good conversations and wish him the best.

Q: Did you know Monday's decision was going to lead to this?

BRIAN DABOLL: No, again, this was not an easy situation when things happen like this. He came in this morning and talked with Mr. Mara. They had their discussion. We talked and thought it was best for him to be able to do that. He put a lot into it, he's a great young man. It's never easy.

Q: Do you think this is the best for the team?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, we had good conversations. Those remain private. He's been nothing but a pro and we've got to get ready to play here.

Q: Have you had the opportunity to talk about this with the team at this point, the fact that he was going to be released?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, I did. I did right before we had a little bit of a walkthrough. I let them know. I wanted them to hear it and then, obviously, put out a statement.

Q: I think the alternative would have been sending him home, like the Derek Carr thing. Why release him over that? How did you guys come to that conclusion? Because, obviously, he can go sign with another team…

BRIAN DABOLL: I'm not going to get into all the particulars. He's been a pro. It's never an easy situation. He asked for this and I just thought where we were and him playing versus not playing was the right decision, for him.

Q: How did the team take the news?

BRIAN DABOLL: It was a little bit of a talk, a couple minutes. Again, this is not an easy thing. You're around people every day for a long amount of time, whether it's years for some people or months for other people. You've got a great respect for your teammates, but we've got to get ready to go.

Q: How do you keep your team focused when this is happening?

BRIAN DABOLL: I think they did a great job. They had a good breakdown, good talk. I think they're focused. They're ready to go. We're going to need a good day today to play our best game.

Q: So, do you just have the two quarterbacks on Sunday then? (Quarterback) Tim Boyle, would you bring him up?

BRIAN DABOLL: There's discussions here that we're going to have after practice. We'll decide what's best for the team.

Q: With regard to (running back Tyrone) Tracy (Jr.). How did you handle that going forward from the last game? And how has he handled it? Even if you haven't played a game yet, but obviously he was distraught after the game.

BRIAN DABOLL: Really good young player. Cares a lot about his teammates, cares a lot about his craft. He has really improved since he's been here. He's made of the right kind of stuff. He works hard at it at practice. Very intentional in making sure we're doing a good job in that area. But he's been a productive player for us. He's got the right mindset.

Q: Just to follow on that quick, not giving up any conversations, which I know you don't do, but how did you handle that with him in the immediate aftermath of that? Being, in the locker room after the game in Germany and then going forward? Obviously, he's been such a big part of your success.

BRIAN DABOLL: Much like one of your kids. You tell him you believe in him. (Running Backs Coach) Joel Thomas has done a great job with him. You work on the things that you need to work on. But I have strong belief in (Tyrone) Tracy with a lot of the other young players too that we've got on here. He does things the right way. He cares about it. It's good to see a guy care about it that much. So, I'm glad he's on our team.

Q: What was your reaction when Daniel (Jones) asked for this, this morning? Did he talk to you?

BRIAN DABOLL: Again, I'll keep my reactions… We had a really good talk, Daniel (Jones) and I. I got a lot of respect for him. Again, not the way we wanted it to turn out by any stretch, but he's been nothing but a pro since I've been here with him. He's a great young man.

Q: Why not get to this resolution earlier in the week? Why did it take four or five days?

BRIAN DABOLL: Sometimes it takes a little longer. You never know how it was going to end up. It just happened today where he came in to talk to Mr. Mara. So, I'm not going to get into particulars and things like that. He's moving on. I wish him the best and we've got to get ready to play.

Q: The reason I say that is… Did you guys contemplate that this might be a possibility or was this his kind of request, 'Hey, for me, better off that we go in this direction'?

BRIAN DABOLL: He went in and talked to John and asked him for his release.

Q: You've talked about the disappointment of Daniel's (Jones) era here. For you, as someone who's got a track record with quarterbacks, do you feel a sense of disappointment you couldn't make it work with him?

BRIAN DABOLL: Yeah, absolutely. We talked about that on Monday. Of course. You do everything you can do, and I'm disappointed it didn't work out. Again, I've got a great respect for him and how he went about his business. But, of course.

Q: (Quarterback) Tommy (DeVito) spoke at length on Wednesday about how this time around he wants to eliminate some of the sideshow stuff from last year and just told his people it's all football. I assume you like hearing that, but how much do you think that can help?

BRIAN DABOLL: He's put a lot into it. From year one to year two, you hope you take a big step in your preparation and all the things that happened. He's from around here and stuff that went on last year. I think he's dialed in. He's really focused on the things that he needs to do and that's a credit to him being a second-year player.

Wide Receiver Darius Slayton

Q: Do you think it'll be a good thing for him to maybe hook up somewhere, get a fresh start?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Yeah, I think so. Like I said, he obviously thought on it, and the organization thought on it and they both came to a mutual agreement. So, I think that's what was best.

Q: Do you think it would've been awkward for seven weeks of this, of him being here and being the fourth QB?

DARIUS SLAYTON: I don't know. I mean I think that the time before this game is finite, so you actually have a chance to be able to continue to better yourself if you really care about being a good football player, and I think (quarterback Daniel Jones) DJ does. So, whatever helps you get that done at the end of the day, I think that's what's best.

Q: Did you get a chance to talk to him before it happened?

DARIUS SLAYTON: I saw him briefly, but it was right before practice, so I didn't get a chance to have an extended session with him.

Q: For somebody that's been with DJ the whole time, how does it hit you to go into the end of an era, how does that hit you? It's a business, obviously. What's your emotion knowing that he's not going to be here anymore?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Yeah, obviously, a good friend of mine just left the building, so obviously, has some sadness to it. Six years together, it's a long time. Obviously, as a quarterback and receiver that's drafted together, we have a kind of special bond. But as long as you play in this league, understand the business, people come and go, and it's part of it.

Q: Are you going to be curious where he might sign? Assuming he signs somewhere.

DARIUS SLAYTON: Yeah, it'll be interesting to see. But obviously, I hope he goes to a good situation somewhere he can succeed and thrive. Hope the best for him.

Q: It seems like there's plenty of teams out there that could use him, at least as insurance, if nothing else.

DARIUS SLAYTON: Yeah, no doubt.

Q: Give him to the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day.

DARIUS SLAYTON: Man, I don't know about that.

Q: Is it the way this kind of played out? The way it kind of seemed like it kind of dragged out all week, is that a distraction at all to you guys?

DARIUS SLAYTON: No, not really. I think the way DJ handled it made it to where we were still focused, be able to get stuff done. Like I said, he handled it professionally, the organization handled it professionally, so it wasn't really too much of a distraction and not something that hurt us.

Q: What do you make of what (Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard) Shep's doing there?

DARIUS SLAYTON: I think he's doing a great job. He's obviously played some good ball these past couple weeks and showing he still got some juice in the tank.

Q: A lot of fans, media probably thought that's the end for him. Did you see in him that there was something left there?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Yeah, I knew he still had juice in the tank for sure, but the NFL is a young man's game and obviously at some point we all will get aged out, quote unquote….

Q: What will it be like to see him pregame for you?

DARIUS SLAYTON: It'll be like a family reunion, like seeing your cousin you haven't seen in a long time, buddy you haven't seen in a long time. I look forward to seeing him before the game and obviously during the game. I hope he plays terrible (laughs).

Q: Have you been in touch with him all during the season?

DARIUS SLAYTON: Yeah, we spoke a couple weeks ago on the phone briefly, but not since then.

Q: He's had a couple few good games though.

DARIUS SLAYTON: Yeah, he has. He's a good football player.