The Washington Commanders’ offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury is fully embracing VR training, a practice that has been credited by the team’s star quarterback Jayden Daniels for speeding up his development, according to a report by the New York Times.
Having been a quarterback for Texas Tech in the past, Kingsbury immediately recognized the intense realism of VR training.
“The first time I tried on the VR headset, I ended up backing into the wall,” Kingsbury told NYT. “It truly felt like the rush of the pass was coming.”
Daniels has been a driving force behind the Commanders’ adoption of the VR app, which was originally designed by German company Cognilize for elite soccer players. Daniels attributes his rapid progress to his VR training, which he used during his Heisman Trophy-winning 2023 season at LSU, and is now leading the Commanders to a 5-2 record.
The Cognilize app essentially allows players like Daniels to mentally rehearse plays with significantly less physical strain than traditional field training, enabling him to run through plays at top speed to enhance his ability to read defenses.
Daniels discussed how the VR app works on the ‘All Facts No Brakes’ show with Keyshawn Johnson in May:
“They replicate the stadium you’re playing in, and it looks exactly like the real thing. The simulation moves faster than a human being. I enter, and within 7 seconds, I have to know the play. Before the snap, I can see the coverage and decide where to pass the ball, all before the play clock expires.” In addition, Kingsbury’s voice guides the VR sessions, providing Daniels with valuable insights into virtual plays.
“It’s as realistic as actual game reps,” Kingsbury commented, highlighting that the VR app has become a crucial part of their weekly routine. In addition, Daniels uses the app every morning, likening it to a “flight simulator for QBs.”
“It’s a cutting-edge technology, specifically designed for quarterbacks,” Kingsbury remarked. “I believe it is more effective than simply watching film. They are going through their progressions, reading defenses, and visualizing the plays.”
Despite sustaining a rib injury during the recent 40-7 victory over the Carolina Panthers, which raised concerns about Daniels’ availability for the rest of the season, the outlook is positive. Daniels is expected to miss only the upcoming game against the Chicago Bears—giving him the opportunity to focus on mental reps in VR at his own pace and recover from the injury without halting his training regimen entirely.
