HOUSTON TEXANS MEDIA CONFERENCE

October 26, 2025

Mac Jones

Texans - 26, 49ers - 15

Q. Start with the second touchdown pass that Jake Tonges intercepted.

MAC JONES: Yeah, he made a good play. Definitely need more of those.

Q. You couldn't get in the flow of the game because you were out so fast. What was that like through the first half, little subtle sparks during the second half?

MAC JONES: Yeah. I'm not sure. Feel like we prepare a certain way for that, for the opening drives and really like the way we do it here. I've been in that situation far too many times where it just hasn't gotten going, and today just wasn't our day.

So at the end of the day, you've got 30 more minutes to play. Did okay, but definitely a lot to clean up, and just got to be more in our Ps and Qs.

Q. The touchdown pass to George, that was right where you wanted it? Knew that from the start? Did you think that would be the spark you needed?

MAC JONES: Yeah, for sure. I scored on a similar play last year against the same defense. We put that in and had that thought on the same play. George made a good play and the line gave me enough time to rip it in there. Definitely want more on those.

Q. What would you want more one-on-one at the end that got intercepted? What was the thought there?

MAC JONES: On the goal line, they jumped a double slant when we were backed up, and I asked for it. Kyle and I were talking about it, and Jauan got banged up on the play before. It was unfortunate. I don't think that was either of our faults. I was going to throw that ten times out of ten. He comes up with it majority of the time.

Just a good play by the DB, and that guy's been playing well all year, Number 4. He just made a good play.

Q. Just one on one, you want to take your shot?

MAC JONES: Absolutely, yeah.

Q. Kyle talked about coming in tomorrow with a chip on your shoulder. How important is it for everybody on the team to feel that way?

MAC JONES: I think it's good. My process isn't going to change. I'm going to come in to work and follow my schedule, and I do that whether we win or lose. I don't think that changes for me. But it is good to get the wakeup call. I know I want to get back in the ring. To do that, you've got to practice well and have a good process leading up to it. I know we have the right guys. It wasn't our day today. So it is what it is.

Q. The defense of Houston, was it what you expected?

MAC JONES: They do what they do. They've done the same thing the past five years. They're really good, though. They've all played together for a long time. Got a lot of respect for those guys.

I've gone against them three times in the last year. Every time I left the field, I thought they were the best defense in the NFL. We've had a couple of those the past couple weeks. It's about us, to be honest. When we do what we do, I think it can be pretty good. When we don't, that's what you get.

Q. (No microphone). Obviously have your own routine. How do you keep yourself engaged (no microphone).

MAC JONES: I don't know. We'll see. I think I've played a lot of different roles in this league. Like I said, my process stays the same. You prepare as a starter, and I definitely wanted to just be better today.

I feel like every game we've played when I'm back there, we've had a chance. Today, I didn't feel like we had a chance. That's been kind of how I feel about it. But I know I can get us to that fourth quarter. When I do, usually it ends up good. And the guys around me have done a great job when we've been in those situations. So that's my goal every week is to get to the fourth. We didn't do that this week.

Q. Made a good point about they're the best defense in the league. Anderson looks like one of the best defensive ends. What was it like with him lurking over there?

MAC JONES: He's definitely lurking. They've got two great defensive ends and really good inside guys too. I've known Will for six, seven years. I have a lot of respect for him. Every time I play against him, you have to have a plan for him. They definitely had our number today.

Q. What was it like when you're on the sideline for as long as you were? Time of possession was crazy.

MAC JONES: Yeah.

Q. What are the emotions as you're waiting?

MAC JONES: Honestly, just stick to my process, prepare, do my stretching and stay warm, whether it's long drives or not.

I feel bad for the defense because when you're out there for that many plays, it's hard to play. You get tired. Even if we get a couple first downs, it gets pressure off them. Got to be better there. Obviously want to score points. Obviously, moving the ball and flipping the field can be good.

I thought we did that better in the second half, but you've got to put points up to beat people. Like I said, try to get to the fourth quarter. Our defense has come up clutch in those situations. So has our offense. Most every game, we've been in the fourth quarter and won.

Q. Can you talk about the mistakes on offense? Is that what you felt unraveling today?

MAC JONES: I'll have to watch it. I don't think the operation was as clean as I'd like it to be. It starts with the quarterback and pushing tempo in practice and cranking up the noise and really treating every day like a game, getting in and out of the huddle. Really, everything before the ball is snapped. I can live with post-snap mistakes if we have a drop or I don't throw a good pass, but if I'm not looking in the right spot or people are running the wrong routes, you have no chance. K.B. knows that. We've played a lot of football together. So the veterans guys on the offense, I feel like we have a veteran group, and we have to have the want to get back in the ring and keep fighting.

Thanks.