You got WR Ricky Pearsall involved a lot in this game. Was that a point of emphasis or was just kind of the way it came down?
"Yeah, I think it was just how the game sort of went. Obviously, we always want to try to get Ricky the ball. He's explosive and does a great job in man-to-man matchups and creating separations. So obviously every game we want to get him in those kinds of situations. But just how the game went, the play calls and per coverage and stuff, like he was the guy that I was supposed to throw the ball to and we made it happen. So, really happy for him."
You said the last couple weeks that you wanted to drive the ball better than you had. Did you feel like you did that today?
"Yeah, I thought so. I thought overall just being aggressive and just the way that I was seeing the defense and just letting it go. Leading guys and trying to hit them out of their breaks and things like that. So thought it was a pretty good day for that."
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he's always okay with tight window throws, but WR Jauan Jennings has really earned it, but he's proven he can come down with it. Those two touchdown passes, were pretty tight windows. Does it matter, if you see it's 15 out there and you feel confident about throwing it in relatively tight coverage?
"Yeah, obviously being smart with it if the guy's clamped or not, but I think with JJ when it's a moving route and then there's a guy on him with his frame, he does a great job of just attacking and getting an edge and just a little space with his length. I feel like I've learned over the years that I can give him a shot. So, he's done a great job with that in one-on-one situations and he's always aggressive and comes down with it. So, something that over the years having experience with that has been good."
How enjoyable was your career long 26-yard run?
"It was good. Honestly, I thought it was dumb. The whole ball fake at the end. I was like, 'Bro, what did I just do?' But in terms of just running down the sideline and scrambling and making a play, obviously it felt good. So anyways, that's how I feel."
I saw you apologize in the exchange?
"Yeah, I played against [Tennessee Titans LB] Cody Barton multiple times and I respect him and he's a great player. So, for me to do that, I was like, 'Bro, I'm sorry that was stupid in the moment.' I don't know why I did that, but I did."
Did RB Christian act like he was going to get the ball?
"Yeah, that was the unsung hero of the play. Christian acted like he was going to get the ball so that he would continue in coverage. Basically, he was blocking the guy and allowed me to run down the sidelines. So, props to Christian."
TE George Kittle has been saying for a while that you have the guys on offense to be an elite offense and while the defense heals up or gets more experience, it's going to be up to the offense. Have you felt that? Do you feel this offense is reaching that point?
"I think, for us, every single game man, with the guys that we have on the field that our standard is to go out, to move the ball, put up points, regardless of who we're playing. We know that we're talented and we have guys across the board – receiver, tight end, running back. And so, for us, like that's always going to be our standard. So definitely, I'm just speaking offensively. Defense, we got guys that have stepped up and done a great job, but, for us and a mindset as a quarterback is we need to score and I expect us to score hopefully every drive."
Kyle had said a couple times during the past couple weeks when he was asked about Pearsall and his involvement that it was like he was fairly annoyed about it because the ball doesn't always come to you. He's doing the same things he's always done. Is that the way you feel or was there any kind of disconnect ever because today it seemed like you guys were a really good rhythm.
"No, I love Ricky because he and I are honest with each other. We talk about routes and concepts and after a play he comes back and he tells me what he saw and then I tell him what I saw. We're on the same page. And Ricky's got such a good heart in terms of like, he just wants to do what's best for the team. And so, he'll never be a guy that's going to go out of his way and complain that I didn't get targets or the ball or whatever. He's about the team. He understands that his moments and opportunities will come as we play. And so today it was just one of those days. But we've all been itching to get him involved since he's been back from his injury and we know how dynamic he is as a receiver. So, I'm the first to tell him that, after in the locker room and everything, I'm like, 'Bro, I want to get you the ball this week. I'm trying, bro, like, stick with me.' And then he is always like, 'hey bro, I totally get your position and how the game goes.' So, he's got my back, I got his back and to have a day like this was awesome. So, we just have to keep grinding together. And when these days and ops come, you take advantage of them."
What was the message coming out of the Bye week? Do you feel you guys accomplished that today?
"Yeah, obviously to be able to rest up and stuff, but not taking our foot off the gas pedal at any moment throughout a game. It's four quarters, we got to play every game like it's a playoff game and don't do anything to hurt ourselves, but more than anything be aggressive and go get it. And I feel like today we showed that and there's still a lot of areas that we have to get better at for sure. So, we're going to do that and just keep taking it one at a time."
As a quarterback, is it tough to balance taking what the defense gives you and distributing the ball your playmakers so that each person feels involved and important?
"Yeah, I think I don't get wrapped up in 'oh this guy hasn't gotten the ball, so I need to force it to him.' I got to go throughout my read and how Kyle calls the play. The cool thing about our guys with all the receivers and tight ends, we got great players across the board. Like I've said, the cool thing about them is they're about the team and they're not going to get fussy and come back to the sideline and say, 'Bro, I need the ball this game. Why aren't you feeding?' It has nothing to do with that. They understand that it's going to come, and we all play together. And so that's my job is to take what the defense gives me, just like you said, and do what Kyle asks of me. But within that everybody will end up getting the ball and getting their op."
