Ben Johnson, Ravens DBs lead top NFL quotes from NFL Week 1

          • Andres WatersSep 14, 2026, 09:11 AM ET

          The NFL season has just begun, but players and even coaches have been in midseason form after their opening games, providing plenty of interesting moments during postgame speeches in the locker room, interviews at the podium and on social media.

          Ahead of the first "Monday Night Football" matchup of the year between the Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, we rounded up the best quotes from around the league on Sunday.

          "He had 124 [yards] on the ground, three touchdowns and a brand-new f---ing contract." -- Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson

          The Bears coach was fired up for his team in the locker room after beating the Carolina Panthers in a 59-37 shootout.

          While handing out game balls to his players, Johnson made sure to mention star running back D'Andre Swift's recent massive payday. It was reported two days ago that Swift and Chicago had agreed to a three-year, $33.75 million extension.

          "I'm Malaki Starks, and I'm a dawg." -- Baltimore Ravens DB Malaki Starks

          During his usual postgame stream on social media with teammates following a victory, defensive back Marlon Humphrey caught up with Starks. The Ravens throttled the Indianapolis Colts 41-23, posting over 500 total yards of offense.

          While Starks was giving an honest breakdown of his team's performance on Sunday afternoon, Humphrey was having none of that. Instead, Humphrey told the sophomore safety to let the world know just how talented he is.

          "Plain and simple, we got our ass whupped." -- Colts DT DeForest Buckner

          While it was all smiles and laughs for the Ravens on Sunday, their opponent's locker room was anything but. Indianapolis allowed 506 total yards and gave up 41 points, its second-most points allowed in a season opener in the past 10 seasons, according to ESPN Research.

          When asked about his team's performance in its home opener, Buckner didn't hold back.

          "I guess I've got to get 200 [touchdown passes] now. I'll keep that one." -- Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence

          Lawrence threw for four touchdowns in Sunday's 34-10 win over the Cleveland Browns, but one of them was more special than the rest. His second TD toss to rookie receiver Josh Cameron was the 100th of his career. However, it was also Cameron's first career NFL catch.

          Knowing this was a special moment for the rookie pass catcher, Lawrence graciously let Cameron keep the ball. But he won't be so generous with the one from his 200th touchdown pass.

          "Waited a long time to be a head coach in this league, man. It's freaking awesome. And we're not where we want to be, and they better get us now." -- Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken

          The first-year head coach expressed his disappointment following a defeat to the Jaguars. However, Monken offered some optimism for the future, too.

          He focused on his young group improving, while pinpointing that they just "didn't play well today." Monken spent 10 seasons as an assistant coach in the NFL before getting his first head coaching job. Therefore, the blowout loss presumably won't get him too shook up, as he added: "You're not going to get me down."

          "There's a time and place for everything." -- Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels

          Washington suffered a narrow two-point defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles following a failed 2-point conversation late. One play that might have had an impact on the outcome happened early in the fourth quarter.

          Daniels connected with wide receiver Stefon Diggs for a 10-yard touchdown to make it a one-point game. However, Diggs celebrated by leaping on the goalpost and received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty. It pushed the Commanders' PAT back, though the kick was good anyway. After the game, coach Dan Quinn said the team would have gone for two if Diggs wasn't penalized.

          Washington's quarterback reflected on Diggs' penalty postgame.