During organized team activities and mandatory minicamp this offseason, Jets quarterbacks, including Justin Fields, have a piece of technology designed to help coaches see what players see on the field.
The Jets are the latest NFL team using a GoPro camera, which is designed to help players study practice film from a unique perspective.
“It’s awesome,” Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said. “I can’t believe we didn’t do this before. It is unbelievable.
“We can hear him call the play in the huddle, we can hear him at the line of scrimmage making his check, whatever it needs. You can see his eyes, where he’s going, and you can see him going through the progression. You can see everything from his vantage point.
“We also get some nice tidbits of commentary in, which is pretty fun to hear too.”
A GoPro camera is an action camera renowned for its ability to capture high-quality video and photos in various environments, including sports and outdoor settings. They are placed on top of a quarterback’s helmet and are small and easily movable, which helps teams capture unique views on the field. All four Jets quarterbacks (Fields, Tyrod Taylor, Brady Cook and Adrian Martinez) are currently utilizing them during practices.
The Lions began using a GoPro camera a couple of years ago when Engstrand was the team’s passing game coordinator. Charles London, who is the Jets’ quarterback coach, has also used GoPro cameras at his previous coaching stops. After Aaron Glenn hired his coaching staff during the offseason, the Jets decided to give the GoPro a shot during rookie minicamp to test it out.
“It’s my first time ever doing it,” Fields said. “It is definitely cool. You know, hearing the playcall again and kind of going through making sure you’re doing everything within the process of a play.
“I like the GoPro a lot. Just making sure you have the right process each and every play from breaking the huddle whether it’s run or pass. Really just going through the process seeing where your eyes throughout the progression and all of that.”
Engstrand says everyone has “loved” using the GoPro, as it provides direct feedback on what players see every down and just listening to how a play is called. Following practice, Fields watches the plays in the film room and sees the mistakes that were made offensively using the GoPro practice footage.
“What’s your pre-snap process?” Engstrand said. “You break the huddle, what are you looking at, what are we keying on? Are we looking at the right areas?
“They look at it and go, ‘This is a way for me to improve and that’s what they’re all here to do.’ They are all here to find a way to get better and help contribute to the team and get us some more wins on the board.”
The GoPro camera has been handy for Fields after signing a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets during the offseason. Throughout his career, Fields has had issues with accuracy and has a career completion percentage of 61.1%, which is below the league average (64.1%).
Throughout his four years in the NFL, Fields has been known more for his running skills than his passing after being one of three quarterbacks who has rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season (Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick). He has rushed for 2,509 yards and 19 touchdowns during that time. Conversely, Fields has thrown for 7,780 yards and 45 touchdowns in 50 career games.
However, Fields registered a career-high in completion percentage last year in his only season in Pittsburgh (65.8%). The Jets believe the ability for coaches to see through Fields’ eyes will be helpful. Engstrand says Fields has been a “workaholic,” and comes into the Jets facility early and leaves late trying to digest and learn the team’s offense.
“You ultimately watch all of the tape,” Engstrand said. “I think with the familiarity for him with the offense and the concepts and the timing of those plays and where he really needs to be when, I think just the reps is going to be the best part for that and just understanding those things. But yes, I think it’s an advantage for us.”
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