CHICK-FIL-A PEACH BOWL: PITT VS MICHIGAN STATE

December 27, 2021

Jordan Addison

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Pitt Panthers

Press Conference

Q. We just had Nick on a couple minutes ago. He mentioned that you guys have taken some time during finals week to get more acclimated to each other's styles of play. What did you see in that week off when you were working with Nick?

JORDAN ADDISON: I would say he knows where to put the ball at on any route and he has great touch. So I would say it's a little easy to catch his passes.

Q. You had a great relationship with Kenny on the field. How difficult is that going to be to get something like that again with a quarterback you haven't played with very much?

JORDAN ADDISON: I don't think it will be too difficult because he's been in our practices. So I caught a few passes from him. I don't think it's going to be difficult. I'm a ball player; he's a ball player. And we're going to go out there and compete.

Q. A number of receivers this year have had really good games against Michigan State. And I guess how excited are you to go against Michigan State's secondary, and what have you seen from them going into the game?

JORDAN ADDISON: I'd say I'm not excited because I've seen everybody else had success against them. I'm excited because it's just another opportunity for me to go out there and play and show what I can do.

Q. When Kenny opted out, I guess for you guys in the wide receiver room, one of the most affected groups by that, what was your guys' reaction and, I guess, understanding and respect for that?

JORDAN ADDISON: We kind of had a feeling that that was going to happen. So we all respected his decision. And our job as receivers is to make the quarterback look good. So whoever goes back there, when they put the ball in the air, we're just going to make sure we go get it.

Q. Throughout Kenny's career we've always heard about how such a great leader he is and the control he had in the huddle. What's Nick been like as QB1 leading you guys this week?

JORDAN ADDISON: He's been doing a pretty good job. Everybody, when he talks, everybody stays quiet and listens. So he has that dominance in the room. And I think we're going to be fine.

Q. What do you feel has helped lead to your breakout season? And who do you look up to as far as wide receivers to model your game after?

JORDAN ADDISON: I look up to two receivers, one is Stefon Diggs and Calvin Ridley.

Q. What do you feel has helped you break out this season?

JORDAN ADDISON: I'd say the work that I put in the offseason. I say that because it just gave me all the confidence that I needed to go up against any defensive back in this league.

Q. We've heard from your coaches and other players about how much extra work the receivers have put in all season long. How did you guys approach saying, we have to do this now with the new quarterback? Nick told us you were running routes and doing things during finals week. What kind of extra efforts on top of that have you guys put in, saying, we want to finish this year strong?

JORDAN ADDISON: It's all we ever do in the receiver room is put in the work. All this last season all they talked about was all the drops and things we had. Coming into this offseason that's all we did was grind -- JUGS, weight room, conditioning, everything.

Q. I know you guys are focused on Michigan State and the Peach Bowl. I was wondering some of the good news that's erupted around your team in the last couple of weeks. Have you given yourself an opportunity to think about what 2022 might be like?

JORDAN ADDISON: This is our chance to see what it's going to be like throughout this game right here coming up and I'm just excited to see.

Q. You mentioned Calvin Ridley as one of the two receivers you look up to. I'm wondering, is what he's been through this year part of the reason that you say that? I know a lot of people respect him for the stance he's taken on some of the things he's gone through. I wanted to follow up on your mentioning Calvin Ridley as one of the two receivers you look up to. What did you admire about Calvin and just what he's been through this year, is that part of what you admire?

JORDAN ADDISON: Yeah, he's been through a lot. And he's been able to keep his head on his shoulders. So I feel like I admire that about him. And especially his game, his route running, how explosive he is when he gets the ball in his hands, and he has very good hands.