Teams around the league are always looking for ways to help their quarterback out. The New York Jets are no different.
Whether it was with Aaron Rodgers over the last few years or Justin Fields this offseason, the Jets are trying new ways to aid their signal-caller in any way possible.
Last year, the Washington Commanders utilized a VR simulation to assist rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. It helped them reach the conference championship game for the first time in three decades.
The Jets have something similar in mind for their own signal-caller.
Jets’ New Technology Tools
Throughout offseason workouts, Jets quarterbacks could be seen with a GoPro attached to their helmets.
That isn’t by accident. The Jets have used GoPros during the offseason workout phase to try and assist their quarterbacks for a number of different reasons.
“We said let’s give it a shot in rookie minicamp and see what it looks like,” Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said during minicamp. “And then we loved it, and we just said ‘Let’s do it.’ And it’s been phenomenal for those guys. It gives direct feedback.”
It’s not just Engstrand who is seeing the benefits of it.
“Shoot, the O-line coach is there watching the tape with his O-line, you know what I mean? Because you can hear everything, you can hear the calls. It’s been really beneficial for us.”
It’s important for NFL organizations to do everything that is possible to help their quarterback. The use of a GoPro allows Jets’ passers to now see what they missed on each particular play, and how they can improve at locating disguises in coverage.
It’s an extra step towards preparing their signal-callers for success.
And no one appears happier to use it than Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields.
“It’s my first time ever doing it. It’s definitely cool,” Fields said. “You’re just hearing the play call again and going through, making sure you’re doing everything within the process of the play, so yeah, I like the GoPro a lot.”
It isn’t an overreaction to say that Fields needs all the help he can get. While he has improved his completion percentage in every year he’s been in the league, there is still much to be desired from him as a passer.
Arguably, his biggest weakness over the last four years has been his ability to go through his reads. At times, Fields does not move through his reads quickly enough.
Having new technology to help speed through that process can be extremely helpful.
That is precisely why the Jets are trying out the GoPro this year.
If it can help with Fields’ processing, they won’t be the only teams using it moving forward. This is also the latest example of how technology can continue to help organizations evolve with the times.
It might just make a franchise quarterback for the Jets after years of searching, too.