Raiders' OC Bo Hardegree Presser Broncos Week

 Interim Offensive Coordinator Bo Hardegree 

Q: How's the team doing this week? Coach Hardegree: “Good. We're really excited. Obviously, it's our last game of the season. We've been prepping as coaches and just kind of putting our best foot forward to go out and give our fans something to appreciate, and also the guys to play together as one and go out and have some fun and execute and make some plays.” 

Q: As you look back, how much do you feel you've grown in this position and learned in this position? Coach Hardegree: “Like I've told you from the start, I've definitely learned so much. Incredible opportunity, dream come true. Something I want to do going forward. And definitely every time I call a play, I learn something new. But just going through the weekly process has been very, very beneficial to me.” 

Q: What's been the most surprising part of the job? Coach Hardegree: “Surprising? No. Because the way I kind of went into it was very unique. Just registering everything that has happened and going forward just kind of remembering those certain situations that I was in and taking those and growing from them moving forward.” 

Q: Looking towards the Broncos game, what are some things you think this offense can do, or needs, to have more consistent performances like the Chargers game? Coach Hardegree: “The word consistency is the right word. And that's what we plan on doing from the execution standpoint. I'm very proud of the progression of our rookie quarterback because that is something that we did. We made that decision to play with him and he's really grown as a person and as a player, and I'm very impressed with him.” 

Q: Where do you think he's grown the most as a player? And what areas do you want to see him grow even more heading into next season? Coach Hardegree: “I mean, every game, it's a new tactic for him. But for him, just never making the same mistake twice is always a good one to say. And just growing from his practice routine, his daily routine and obviously the execution on game day.” 

Q: Aidan has really learned to protect the football, which in his position is probably one of the biggest keys. Would you talk about his development there? Coach Hardegree: “I would say that's a key to winning every week, especially at his position where he touches the ball and he influences the play every single snap. And him understanding how important that is, but also being able to be aggressive too at times. But knowing if it's an aggressive call, the worst case scenario would be an incompletion.” 

Q: What is it about his personality that his teammates have been really drawn to him? Coach Hardegree: “He's energetic, he'sfun. He's very levelheaded, he doesn't gettoo up, too down, which at that position in the NFL is important. And I think that's what draws those guys into it, and he's really tough.” 

Q: What's the biggest takeaway for yourself as a coach throughout the season? Coach Hardegree: “I mean, to take away, it was just an incredible opportunity, like I said before. It's something I've always dreamed of doing and want to do going forward.” 

Q: 21 targets for Davante Adams. Is that how it's drawn up or was it just kind of how it organically occurred? Coach Hardegree: “I would say both for sure. There's always those plays we have that are designed to go to him and then like anybody else, sometimes the play takes it to him based off what the defense does.” 

Q: Can you talk about how much progression you've noticed from Zamir White since taking over the past few weeks? Coach Hardegree: “Yeah, he's done great. I mean, he did a good job in the passing game. He had some opportunities last game. He's caught the ball, he'sran well, he's protected well, and he'll continue to grow and turn into a really good player.” 

Q: How do you deal with the human side of the players to make sure that they have the same energy and mentality to go out there and play their best even when there are no playoffs on the line? Coach Hardegree: “Just come in with a lot of juice when they come in the building and take that to the practice field. And give them a lot of confidence and take that to Sunday. 

The Silver and Black finish the 2023 NFL Regular season this weekend at home by hosting their AFC West rival, the Denver Broncos.