PATRIOTS EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF PLAYER PERSONNEL ELIOT WOLF
PRESS CONFERENCE
August 18, 2024
EW: Thanks for having me. Through two pre-season games, we're excited about really where we're at as a team. We have a lot of work to do. This is a big week for us, just kind of operationally, being on the road, night game. Roster cuts are Tuesday, and we play the last game of any team, so we're cognizant of that. With the injury situations, it's going to be a challenge for us, but we're excited about it.
Q: Can you walk us through the process? We heard a little bit on the preseason broadcast, but can you walk us through the process when it came to Matthew [Judon] and the decision to part ways with him?
EW: Yeah, like I said on the broadcast, all these decisions are difficult. We have to weigh now, the future, what's best for the team, what's best for the player, and it was something that we just felt organizationally, and for Matthew, it was probably the best for both parties.
Q: How sudden was that? Was that something that came up at the last minute, or was that something that had been ongoing for a while?
EW: Teams had been calling to check in. He had voiced a little bit of displeasure with his contract at different times. So, whenever that happens, teams always check in on players. So, it's just kind of something that came to fruition there at the end.
Q: Eliot, back in April, we asked you if the roster was in a position to support a rookie quarterback, and at that time, you said you thought you could. Do you still feel that way, and is there any concern now about the offensive line?
EW: Well, we're concerned about every position. We're always looking to improve and get things good, so whoever the quarterback is – it's not like if Jacoby's [Brissett] the quarterback, we just want to throw him with the wolves. So, we're excited about our offensive line group. We're still working to find the correct combination in there, and I think we have the pieces in place to be able to compete.
Q: So, you're confident that you can support any quarterback with the pieces you have in place?
EW: Yes.
Q: Eliot, sort of related to that, Jerod [Mayo] indicated – actually, he said – that part of the reason Drake [Maye] only played six snaps in the first preseason game was because of the state of the offensive line. Isn't that an indictment on what you've done going into the season at those positions? I mean, you went in saying [Chukwuma] Okorafor was going to be your left tackle. [Michael] Onwenu was the best tackle. In free agency, [Caedan] Wallace would play left tackle. Not a lot of that stuff has happened.
EW: Which one of those hasn't happened?
Q: Well, I mean, we didn't see Mike Onwenu at right tackle until yesterday. Okorafor hasn't played left tackle in pads.
EW: Gotcha. So yeah, Okorafor's taking reps on both sides. Onwenu took some reps at tackle yesterday. Again, I think we're just trying to find the right combination. We feel confident in all these players, and we're just working to find the best group, rather than the best five individuals.
Q: What does that free agent market look like, and is that something you're interested in? The offensive line?
EW: The free agent market currently?
Q: Yeah.
EW: Again, we're pretty comfortable with our group right now. Obviously, we're going to look to upgrade on the offensive line or at any position, if we feel like we can. But I think we gave up one sack the other night. Again, it was Philly's two's, but it was an improvement to the practice on Tuesday. So, again, we're just looking to see how these guys respond to adverse situations.
Q: Do you envision yourself carrying four quarterbacks?
EW: Those are conversations that we'll have moving forward. I think we're going to try to carry the best 53, whoever those guys are.
Q: Eliot, history shows that on cut-down day, there were some good football players from talented teams that are released, especially along the line. The fact you pick third, how much of an advantage is it to take advantage of that pick, to have another third pick coming along?
EW: Yeah, absolutely. Our scouting department right now, all they're doing is just grinding through the preseason film, watching players, talking to other teams, seeing who might become available. Having a third claim spot is a good advantage, and we'll be aggressive, I think.
Q: There was a report that you guys ended your pursuit of Brandon Aiyuk. What went into that decision, and how would you describe the negotiations?
EW: Yeah, just kind of a feel. It was sort of a situation where he's still in San Francisco, and that hasn't been worked out from their standpoint yet. But we just felt, organizationally, our young receivers have had a really good week, and they're continuing to progress, so we're excited about those guys.
Q: Have you fully closed the door on trading for Brandon Aiyuk?
EW: Yes, at this point.
Q: Eliot, tell us what you've seen from Drake Maye from the start of training camp until now.
EW: Yeah, it was good to see him get in the other night. It was really good to see how calm and collected he was. He got headbutted at one point by Nolan Smith and made a nice play on that one, but he's steadily improved. He's put his head down and worked. He's a great teammate, and we're excited to see where his development can go.
Q: Eliot, million-dollar question. How close do you think he is to playing?
EW: We'll have to see. Again, he didn't get a lot of snaps like Greg said in the first game. He did pretty well in his snaps the other night. It's all about building on those successes and seeing where it goes."
Q: Eliot, you've been around young quarterbacks who are trying to make their way into the league. At times, it looks like he's over-processing and overthinking. We've seen a lot of double clutching. Is that, in your view, part of the process of being a 21-year-old quarterback learning a new system?
EW: Drake's very conscientious. He takes all the coaching points. He's trying to do everything perfect. It was really nice to see him the other night go out there and just play ball rather than think about those things."
Q: Does C.J. Stroud make it difficult for you guys with patience shown to these quarterbacks?
EW: I mean, if you go look at it, C.J. Stroud was the anomaly in that regard. Again, it's not about one person or one player. It's about where the offense is, where Jacoby is and where the team is. We're just focused on that."
Q: Eliot, Jerod told us that he sees a dramatic drop-off from the top offensive line to the second and third string units as far as knowing what to do. First of all, do you agree with that, and how could you remedy that, if at all, from the front office?
EW: Again, just creating competition. I think our second offensive line, again, they're moving around a lot. There's a lot of pieces. We had a couple of guys out yesterday, so the pieces were moving even more. I think it's about developing that consistency. It's less about an individual not knowing what to do, but it's more about having trust in the guy next to you. If you trust the guy next to you, it's easier for you to do your job.
Q: You mentioned that when teams know there's a contract situation, they generally check in if they're interested. Without getting into specifics beyond Aiyuk, have you guys checked in on other receiver situations?
EW: We make calls on all positions and on all players that we think might be able to help us. Sometimes, it's just to try to gather information from other clubs and kind of see what they're thinking about their own roster.
Q: Was there a gap with Matthew Judon? You guys were able to do new contracts with a lot of other guys. Was there no middle ground with him?
EW: Again, I told you guys in February I'm not going to get into any contract-type stuff here. That's between us, the player and the agent.
Q: About Vederian Lowe, what is it that gives you confidence in him as a top left tackle? Have you always viewed him as a potential starter, or is that more of a development that happened this season?
EW: Vederian's done a really nice job. He's steadily improved. We said it last year, if he could just learn that he has really good length to get his hands out, then he would have a chance to ascend to that starter level. He's really started to do that this year, and it's been impressive to watch him progress. We're excited to continue working with him.
