First – congratulations on signing with the Steelers. Tell me why you chose the Steelers?
Well, I’ve been a Midwest guy the whole time I’ve been living. I think playing in Michigan and in the MAC – it’s a blue collar mindset. And it’s the same thing in Pittsburgh. Everyone works hard to get what they get.
Plus, the tradition of he team and the success of other MAC quarterbacks that have played there – with Ben and his historic career. All that stuff made it a great opportunity.
The Steelers were actually my first 30 man visit. I thought they liked me then. I had a good feeling and now I hope they like me as much as I think they did then.
How much does getting a year under your belt in Cleveland help you now when you start in Pittsburgh?
It definitely helps. It gives you a feeling for how things are run and an understanding of what it takes to succeed. It also gives you a better idea of what to expect on the business side. More knowledge is like more reps. After your second rep you get better, just like with more knowledge. You get better and better.
And I worked with Haley in Cleveland too. So I’m hoping there are some similarities in how the two offenses practice.
Talk to any of the guys yet?
Not yet. The season just ended. I’m sure most of the guys are on vacation somewhere warm. I’m sure we’ll all get acquainted soon. We’ll have to! I’ll let everyone along for now.
Have you payed any attention to the offseason goings-on in Pittsburgh? Any concerns on how those affect you and the team?
It doesn’t really affect me. Whatever’s going on – if anything is- I’m sure will be resolved and they’ll have everything figured out. The front office has had too much success – has been too good for too long to let it go on. I’m not sure it would affect me. I just need to go in and do all I can to learn and grow and get up on this team, and to be a good teammate.
You’ve got a few guys ahead of you the team has invested in – and a Hall of Fame quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. What do you have to do to make the team?
Just be me. We all have a little flavor to us. I like to run the show and move the ball and may have to do it with zero or very few reps. To get first downs consistently- to move the chains and be consistent. Those are the keys to making the team. Be consistent and make plays.
Tell us a little about you as a player and teammate. What should fans know about you?
I definitely have a gunslinger attitude. I like to make plays improvising but also to be in control at the same time. I like to have fun on the field but I’m also very competitive. I love talking with the guys on the field while we’re playing – to keep everyone loose. I want everyone to have a good time. I think everyone will like watching me play.
Any concerns that your fame and cult following from Hard Knocks overshadows your play and reputation as a successful quarterback?
That’s a really good question. HBO and Hard Knocks – I have a lot of praise and appreciation for what they did. But at times I’ll get questions first about me on Hard Knocks before they ask about me as a person and quarterback. They shed me in a good light so that was ok. They showed all of us as real people – they humanized us as players – as people – and that was good in that aspect.
But, I would like to be known more as a quarterback from Eastern, Michigan. But that’s now up to me. If I do good that makes that other stuff fade away.
What steps have gotten you most ready for the chance in Pittsburgh?
I’ve been training at the Fischer Institute in Arizona and have had good relationships with the quarterbacks I’ve been in camp with. When I was in Baltimore I watched Lamar Jackson and fed off those other guys. I watch them and learned. When I was in Cleveland with Tyrod Taylor he was the most professional person I have ever been around. I learned how to take it all in – that every day it’s a job. It was a game in college – but now it’s a game and a job.
You think about the possibility someday of you and Baker Mayfield squaring off in a game?
Well I better get on the practice squad or 53 first. I’m happy for Baker – he deserves everything he gets in Cleveland.