With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, most teams in the league have a pretty good idea of what they are bringing into training camp. Though battles will undoubtedly emerge as players work their way through camp, some positions are already solidified. For the New York Jets, it is a little bit of both. After signing Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, the Jets announced him as the starting quarterback for the season. If you are from Ohio or you have taken advantage of Ohio sportsbook promos you probably know Justin as an alumnus of the Buckeyes.
Well, for the first time in a while, the Jets may have found their man.
The Quarterback Carousel
When talking about the Jets and their quarterback situation, it’s hard to avoid the fact that things simply haven’t gone well for them. High draft picks Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson have failed to pan out, though Darnold went on to have his most successful season with the Minnesota Vikings last year.
They brought in Aaron Rodgers ahead of the 2023 season, feeling that he was the missing piece to a contending team. Rodgers tore his Achilles just eight plays into his first season, and 2023 was suddenly shot. Even with a healthy year in 2024, Rodgers and the Jets struggled across the board.
Though there are high hopes for Fields, it is hard to feel optimistic given the Jets history at quarterback, especially recently. It also isn’t necessarily the best organization for fostering young talent, so some challenges will need to be overcome.
What Justin Fields Can Work with the Jets
Though the Jets and their fans seem naturally optimistic about any quarterback they bring in, there are a handful of reasons to get behind Fields. The traits listed below are key reasons why Fields could be the man they have been searching for.
Mobility
The first thing that you notice about Fields is his mobility. He is an elite athlete who can make a difference with his legs when plays break down. The Jets have had offensive line issues in recent seasons, making it tough for an older quarterback like Rodgers to do much because of regular pressure.
Though pressure is never a great thing for quarterbacks to deal with, Fields can shake a defender and buy more time. He’s still just 26 years old and learning schemes. His ability to move around, extend the pocket, and buy time could be invaluable for the Jets offense.
Raw Potential as a Passer
The biggest criticisms of Fields have come regarding his ability as a traditional passer. What is interesting is that Fields had the best completion percentage of his career, 65.8%, in Pittsburgh before ultimately getting benched for veteran Russell Wilson.
It has been argued that his previous teams didn’t have the offense necessary to benefit Fields, but his abilities as a passer have been growing. He’s improved his completion percentage each season without seeing much of a change in terms of yards per attempt. The potential as a top passer is there for sure.
His Ability as a Rusher
The Jets, a very good rushing team two seasons ago, will benefit greatly from having Fields in the mix. Fields ran for 1,143 yards in 2022, though he hasn’t been used quite as much since then. Still, it shows his potential as a runner (though the 16 fumbles that season are scary).
Designed runs and packages that utilize Fields’ mobility could make a difference. Getting him into space to buy additional time could prove beneficial when it comes to his reads as well. The threat of Fields as a runner could potentially open up room for Breece Hall as well, someone who has proven home run potential in this Jets offense.
Managing Expectations is Important
A major key to handling Fields is to manage expectations. In a market like New York, that may not necessarily be possible. Management needs to set realistic expectations and goals that he can attain to keep his confidence up.
The Jets have been starving for a playoff appearance, so expectations may not be the most realistic. Management has a challenge on its hands when it comes to keeping Fields focused and keeping unwanted noise out of his head.
Playing to His Strengths
Though it is a lot easier said than done, it will be imperative for the Jets to play to Fields’ strengths. Giving him faster, simpler reads will allow him to get the ball out of his hands and avoid pressure. Packages designed to utilize his legs can add another dimension to the running game and keep defenses honest as well.
This is a key season for both Fields and the Jets. With proper handling, the Jets could have a very good quarterback – better than they’ve had in recent years – on their hands.
