This probably sounds mean and will get the thumbs down from Jason fans (which BTW I don't dislike Jason) Jason will likely be the same skater next year that he is this year - without a consistent quad so whether he still competes or not, if Vincent and Nathan retire then Ilia is still carrying US Mens skating for big competitions, a quadless man is not independently competive at the big competitions.
Except when he wins the silver medal at 2020 4CCs.
I don't care if opinions are "mean". I care if they're based in results rather than some stereotype of "stuck in the past, can't compete, quads quads quads the only way to get points", that aren't based on fact.
(and results don't get to be explained away by "oh, it was a splatfest", "Oh, no one was there". The Packers lost to the Niners, no one cares about the excuses. )
ETA: and I do apologize, this has nothing to do with Ilia's interview.