Patriots QB Behren Morton Postgame Transcript 8/22

PATRIOTS QUARTERBACK BEHREN MORTON

PRESS CONFERENCE

August 22, 2026

Q: Behren, would you describe yourself tonight as a better quarterback or punter?

BM: First off, I want to say my thoughts and prayers go out to the Eagles. That guy (Ja’Quinden Jackson) that went down, I wish him a speedy recovery and wish nothing but the best for him. Tonight was fun. I wasn’t expecting to punt. It’s been since high school since I’ve punted, so you just got to make the most of your opportunity when it comes. So, I tried to do that tonight.

Q: Behren, can you just take us to the moment on the sideline when you realized that was actually going to happen, that you were going to punt? What was your reaction to it, and how you responded to it?

BM: Coach came up to me and just said that if we got a punt on this drive, you’re going out there. I was pretty cold at the time, so I went over to the net, hit a few balls. I asked Andy [Borregales] how far do I need to stand back – he told me 15 yards, catch the ball and just put it down there. Coach [Jeremy] Springer did a good job of lining me up. He said just hit it middle, and then we’ll make corrections as we go.

Q: Behren, can you just take us through the play to Nick [DeGennaro] at the end there?

BM: Yeah, it was a long drive. Hats off to the offensive line for keeping me safe, keeping me upright. Nick had a great release, avoided the corner. Looked like cover two, so I put it on the line where it was him or nobody. I didn’t want to put it in a dangerous way, but Nick made a great play. Hats off to the o-line for keeping me safe.

Q: So Behren, two weeks of games for you in the NFL. Your first two, and you’re put in two similar situations at the end of a game. What is it about those situations at your position that I guess you love, that challenges you in those situations?

BM: Yeah, I think playing quarterback, especially playing in the NFL, you dream of this moment, of leading your team down to have a game-winning drive. It goes back to all the hard work that we’ve put in through the spring when we got here, summer, and then obviously training camp. To go out there and do it, being well-prepared from coach [Josh] McDaniels, for the offense, that was big for us tonight. But there’s a lot to correct from today that we can get a lot better from. So maybe we don’t put ourselves in a situation where we need a game-winning drive, and we don’t have to be in that position.

Q: Over on the right. How would you describe the relationship that you have with the rest of the rookie class? Do you find that you guys are pushing and motivating each other, especially when you are getting so many opportunities in these preseason games?

BM: Yeah, for sure. It is a really cool group. We have had a lot of fun just hanging out at the hotel, understanding the playbook together. So it has been a lot of fun. I have made a lot of really, really good friends that I will have lifetime relationships with. But a really special class. I am really proud of the way that the guys, we do not get a lot of reps during practice. So when we come out here, you are getting 30, 40, 50 reps a game. So paying attention and being prepared when your moment comes.

Q: How would you describe the relationship that you have with the rest of the rookie class? Do you find that you guys are pushing and motivating each other, especially when you are getting so many opportunities in these preseason games?

BM: Yeah, for sure. It’s a really cool group. We’ve had a lot of fun just hanging out at the hotel, understanding the playbook together. So, it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve made a lot of really, really good friends that I’ll have lifetime relationships with, but — A really special class. I’m really proud of the way that the guys — We don’t get a lot of reps during practice. So, when we come out here, you are getting 30, 40, 50 reps a game. So, paying attention and being prepared when your moment comes.

Q: I’m wondering, did you have any conversations with Bryce [Baringer] during the game as you were punting? Also, what kind of feedback did you get from Jeremy [Springer]?

BM: Yeah, I did. Because in high school they did not rush that fast. So, the first rush kind of threw me by surprise, and so I was like, “I need to have steps.” So, I asked Bryce at halftime. I hit a few punts at halftime. He was great. Tremendous guy. He helped me out when I needed it. Coach Springer was singing the praises of doing a good job. But when the opportunity comes, I’m just trying to make the most of it.

Q: You said earlier you had not punted since high school. Is that in a game or at all? Is this something you have worked on at any point in the last few years?

BM: No, it really isn’t. I did in high school and I loved it. Loved to punt and kick. I went to college, was always the backup in case anything ever happened. But it never hit me in practice for my five years at Tech. Then for my pro day, I actually punted and kicked in my pro day just to showcase that I could do that, and so that’s obviously why they had an idea that I could do it. Then tonight, the opportunity came and I’m trying to make the most of it.

Q: How did you feel like it went punting at your pro day?

BM: Punting at the pro day was pretty good. Tonight I didn’t hit some good punts, so I got to do better.