The Jets added another veteran quarterback — to the coaching staff.
John Beck, a former BYU and NFL quarterback and Zach Wilson’s personal coach, has joined Robert Saleh’s staff for the rest of the season, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
Beck was spotted on the Jets’ sideline with Mike White during the team’s Week 8 win. Beck’s addition to the staff has been confirmed by multiple reports, though it’s not clear what his role is. He isn’t listed as a member of the staff on the team website and the Jets already have a quarterbacks coach in Rob Calabrese, as well as a senior offensive assistant in Matt Cavanaugh.
Regardless of his specific role, adding Beck makes a lot of sense for the Jets. He played six years in the NFL after the Dolphins picked him in the second round of the 2007 draft. He also spent time with the Ravens, Texans and Washington. Not only is Beck close with Wilson, but he also understands Mike LaFleur’s offensive system after his time in Washington with Mike Shanahan.
Beck advocated for the Jets to draft Wilson last spring and called New York’s offense “hand-picked” for the former BYU quarterback.
“[Wilson] brings such a skill set to get out on the edges, to be used in the keeper game, the play-pass game,” Beck said in April. “He can drive balls in very small space off unique platforms as he’s moving.”
That assessment hasn’t translated onto the field yet for Wilson. The rookie has completed just 57.5 percent of his passing attempts for 1,168 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions during his first six games in the NFL. White, meanwhile, thrived with the same offense in his NFL starting debut with 405 passing yards and three touchdowns in the Jets’ win over the Bengals.
Ideally, Beck will benefit White and Wilson once the latter returns from a PCL sprain.
