Q. Mac, could you talk about your level of disappointment, first start in your hometown, had a chance to go get a win and for lots of different reasons it didn't happen.
MAC JONES: I think the defense played great and the offense, we've got to do better, and it starts with me. Those guys fought, though, and I really appreciate the team for having my back. Just gotta learn from it. No excuses.
Definitely wanted a different result, but I'm going to keep fighting.
Q. Could you take us through -- the first interception, looked like you were staring down Gabe a little bit. You may not have seen the defender in front of him. On the second one, you did get hit a little bit on the release. I didn't know how much that affected the ball.
MAC JONES: No excuses, just go through my reads and live to fight another down. Especially in those situations on first down. Nothing that anybody else did, it's on me. The defense got us the ball back. As the quarterback, you've got to put the ball in play and let the guys make plays. It's on me.
Q. On the second one, did the hit affect the ball at all? Or were you expecting Gabe to stay on the path he was because the ball went a little bit to the right?
MAC JONES: I'm not really sure. I have to watch it. I definitely need to step up. I'm not really sure what happened once I let go of the ball. I'll have to watch it.
Q. You gained some momentum early, second drive, nine plays, you're up 7-0, I would think from a confidence level you're feeling pretty good. Did Minnesota make adjustments defensively? If not, what led to the struggles?
MAC JONES: Yeah, it's one of the top defenses in the NFL. They're going to challenge the quarterback. We actually did a good job on the hard stuff and then the easy stuff wasn't good enough by me.
So Coach Flores, their defensive coordinator, had those guys ready, and we've just got to play better and it starts with me. Just going back to our defense, I already told them they played a great game. I've got to put a better product out there to help us win.
Q. How deflating was it, you mentioned the defense's performance for the offense average around three yards per play off of turnovers.
MAC JONES: Like I said, they played a very good football game and a game that gave us plenty of chances to win. As a quarterback, I've got to get news the end zone or get some field goals on the board. We were in it at the end, but that's the NFL and you never know how the games are going to go. Just have to finish better.
Q. Were there any friends or family members that were here to support you in this start here in Jacksonville, your hometown?
MAC JONES: Yeah, I had a few family and friends and, yeah, I grew up down the road and played my first game tackle football 19 miles from here. So definitely disappointed with my opening start, but I know I can be better and I usually bounce back pretty good from failure. So I'll see what I can do.
Q. Did you feel like you were rusty, you haven't played football in a while and to this degree, right?
MAC JONES: Got the scout team reps. I felt prepared. Everyone was on the same page for the most part during the week. It's been a year. So no excuses. Been playing my whole life and played a lot of football in this league, and I know what I've got to do to win. And today what I put on the field wasn't good enough.
I've just got to keep working and do everything I can to stay motivated and confident and lead the team as best I can with Trevor being out.
Q. You guys had only 31 yards in the first half last week. I think 143 today. Does it feel like everything you're trying right now just doesn't work as an offense? I know you weren't out there last week, but you had a front row seat.
MAC JONES: I think every game is different. This week obviously focused on their defense and the challenges they present, and I don't think many quarterbacks have played well against that defense. I've got to play better and have a better plan and to learn from it and take the completions.
But each week is different. You can't really look at one week versus another, especially when you're not out there.
Q. Could you take us through the fumble. Did you pull back a little too early? What actually happened on that fumble?
MAC JONES: That's on me. Look, me and Mitch, we don't get that many reps together but we get them after practice a lot. So there's no excuse for that. It's a day one play that you learn and it's on me as the quarterback.
Q. Did you just pull back a little too quickly?
MAC JONES: I'd have to look at it.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports