TRANSCRIPT: Eliot Wolf Press Conference 8/18
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Here’s what Eliot Wolf had to say on Monday August 18, 2025:
OPENING STATEMENT:
“Just wanted to start out by extending condolences. Richard Miller and his wife, Sharon, are going through a tough time with their family right now. I just wanted to send condolences to them on a tremendous loss. Richard has been with the organization for over 30 years, primarily as our cap guy, but does a lot of research for us. He’s a tremendous asset for myself and the whole staff, and just wanted to keep them in our prayers.”
“So, with that, any questions?”
Always a tough transition from that, but on if transactionally if there’s anything we should be aware of entering today’s practice, coming out of the game?
“Yeah, unfortunately, Isaiah Iiten had the hip injury. He’s going to go on injured reserve, and we’re signing Phil Lutz. Phil played wide receiver at Delaware and at Tufts before that. He was here for both our local day and our rookie mini camp. He’s a guy that showed well on both. We’ve been keeping in touch with him should the opportunity arise and had a little light workout, make sure he’s in shape this morning, and he’ll be out here today.”
On the fact they’ll be busy in the next couple of weeks scouring waiver wires but there’s a couple of big names available trade-wise and if he’d be to swing a big trade at this point in the season where the calendar is:
“Yeah, absolutely. We’re talking to all 31 other teams and trying to do what’s best for us. If something presents itself, I think those things are often a lot more complicated than the fans and some others like to make it believe. But if there’s something that we think can help us, we’ll definitely be open to it.”
On the fact after the draft, he spoke about a spirited disagreement in the war room that ended up resolving itself because another team took one of the players. But now, if a similar situation arises, how does he anticipate resolving that type of debate at this time of year:
“I think the same way, just productive of dialog. If it resorts to watching film as a group, that’s something that Mike and I talked about yesterday, as a matter of fact. If there ends up being something that we see differently, let’s work through it. And ultimately, we both want what’s best for the team. I mean, everyone does, so that’s the way we’ll resolve it.”
On Efton Chism and what initially drew them to him and if he’s lived up to the expectations at this point:
“Yeah, absolutely. Efton is a guy who went to two All-Star games. He went to the Hula Bowl and then the East-West. No one really guarded him in either. That’s when he came on my radar a little bit. Our scouts obviously liked him as well. But I didn’t watch him until after those All-Star games and definitely thought he was a draftable talent. Maybe didn’t have the 40-yard dash that was applicable to get him drafted, but the games played between the white lines, and he’s been a phenomenal worker. Everyone talks about how he’s an overachiever and this and that. I see that differently. I think he’s got tremendous football instincts. I think he’s tremendous at the top of the route, and his play strength for a shorter guy is very good. We’re excited about what he can bring to our team.”
On TreVeyon Henderson and if there’s anything he’s done on the field has suprrised him that he wasn’t sure that he was capabable of doing, or if this is what he expected from him:
“I think with TreVeyon, everyone sees the speed. Everyone saw the pass protection, the ability to get outside. I’ve been maybe most impressed with his ability to run between the tackles. Not that he couldn’t do that in college, but I think his vision and his instincts in there have been really impressive, and he continues to improve each week.”
On how earlier in the spring he said he had the final decision, and if when he and Mike were having this conversation, and he wanted player X, and Mike wants player Y, and Mike doesn’t budge off player Y, and he doesn’t budge off player X, if that’s his call to take player X?
“Yeah, ultimately, it would be. But again, I think we all understand where we’re coming from, and that’s why we’ll watch film together. We’ll take the position coaches and coordinators and Ryan [Cowden] and Alonso [Highsmith] and the Pro Department will take everybody’s stock and see and make sure what we do is best for the team.”
On the fact that while it’s early, the returns on this rookie class have been positive so far and better than last year’s and if there’s anything he looks back on that went differently or better in this year’s draft:
“I think maybe just the vision for what we wanted as players. I think, again, we’ll see what happens here. But like you said, it’s been positive through two preseason games. Obviously, those don’t count, so we’ll see how they do moving forward.”
On if there’s still a role on the team for Kyle Dugger and how he sees that situation playing out:
“Yeah, I think there’s still a role. It’s about trying to find the right combination and earn a role. The safety position is a lot based on communication. And so getting Craig [Woodson], who’s a rookie out there with different combinations of people, is something that we’re looking at as well.”
On how clear he feels his vision is as a group now that he’s been together with the new staff for a while:
“Yeah, I still think it’s developing, but since February, I think I said this the other day, one of the best things about working with Mike is we have the same vision, and it’s ultimately his vision, but we believe in a lot of the same things as far as treating people right, working hard, effort, toughness, and finish. I mean, those are all things that he espouses that I also believe in. So it’s been good in that way.”
On the amount of cap space and if we should view that in any way as indicative as to where they view this organization and its ability to contend this year?
“I’m not sure I follow.”
You have a lot of available cap space. Usually, teams that are near the top of the league don’t have that. Are you saving for next year? Is this a big picture view that you’re taking?
“It’s a big picture view. Also, we have the quarterback on a rookie contract, and I certainly think we spent a lot of money in free agency this year, so I don’t think it’s indicative of where we think we are as a team. Again, like Mike said yesterday, this is our year one of this program. We’re hopeful moving forward that we can make some progress this year.”
On Stefon Diggs and how he feels about the receiver unit as a whole:
“Yes. Stefon has done everything we’ve asked. He’s been attentive in meetings. He’s been good on the field. He had two really good practices in Minnesota. He’s ahead of schedule, injury-wise. Then the group, I think, is nice. I think we have some pieces that complement each other. I’m excited to kind of see how Josh and the offense employ those guys and the ball distribution of Drake.”
On Kayshon Boutte and the fact he stood out last year and how he feels he can contribute in the offense this year:
“Yeah, Kayshon is someone that I know personally, I’m very proud of. He came in, had some success earlier in college. Maybe his last year in college wasn’t what he hoped it would be. Didn’t do a ton his rookie year, had some production last year, but left some plays on the field as well. He’s really bought in. I think Todd Downing has done a tremendous job developing a relationship with Kayshon. Really, I just can’t speak enough about what Kayshon has done. He can play all three positions. He blocks. He’s good with the ball in his hands. He’s strong, and he’s really becoming a pro here in year three, and we’re excited about where he can go.”
On how he would describe Will Campbell’s camp so far:
“Will has been solid. He’s getting better every day. I thought [Jonathan] Greenard got him a couple of times in that second practice against Minnesota, and Greenard’s a really good player, so I think that was a really good learning experience for Will to understand in pass sets that he can’t maybe try the same thing each time. But we’re excited about what he can do. His play style is phenomenal, and he’s only getting better each day.”
On if he would you be willing to give up in a trade a second or maybe even a first-round pick to make your team better this year?
“Sure.”
Why?
“Just doing what’s best for the team. If there’s a player out there that we feel like can help us, and it costs that, then we would consider doing that.”
(Editor’s Note: This transcript is done via the available footage and is subject to typos. If you spot something, please take a moment to let me know in the comments below.)
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