QB Justin Fields Delivers Another Message on Steelers Departure

Quarterback Justin Fields will see the Pittsburgh Steelers again in Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. The league will undoubtably hype the “revenge” game narrative, but while addressing his free agency decision again this week, Fields focused solely on his new team, the New York Jets.

In a new documentary released on the team’s YouTube channel, Fields explained that new head coach Aaron Glenn was the top factor in his choice to sign with the Jets.

“I chose the Jets because No. 1, AG,” Fields said. “The kind of coach he is, how passionate he is about the game, and really just what he brings to the table.

“Changing the culture around here and wanting to win games and wanting to be great. He knows what it takes to build a team up from the ground up and really get them going. I think that’s why AG is the right guy for this job.”

The Steelers acquired Fields in a trade from the Chicago Bears during March 2024. But the Steelers declined Fields’ fifth-year rookie option and allowed him to reach free agency this year.

On the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period, Fields and the Jets agreed to a two-year, $40 million contract. The quarterback officially signed the deal on March 13.

Justin Fields Will Put It ‘On the Line’ for Aaron Glenn

It’s not surprising Fields placed a lot of emphasis on head coach with his free agency decision. Last fall, Fields was highly complimentary of Mike Tomlin and the Steelers coaching staff.

As the quarterback continued to talk about Glenn during the Jets documentary, Fields stressed how hard he will play for the first-year head coach.

“For him to want me here is definitely an honor,” he said. “Of course, I’m going to put it all out on the line for him and do all I can to help this team be successful.”

Glenn served as the Detroit Lions defensive coordinator for four years from 2021-24. Glenn received head coaching interviews last offseason, but he and fellow Lions coordinator, Ben Johnson, both elected to return to try and get the team to its first Super Bowl.

During Glenn’s first three seasons with the Lions, Fields played in the same division with the Bears.

Fields is set to enter the 2025 season as the Jets starting quarterback. With the Steelers, he competed for the starting job with Russell Wilson during training camp. Wilson won the job, but because of a nagging calf injury, Fields started the first six games of the 2024 season.

Fields Has Avoided Addressing Money While Discussing His NFL Free Agency

This wasn’t the first time Fields has raved about Glenn this offseason. The quarterback called the coach the top reason why he signed with the Jets in his introductory press conference on March 18 as well.

“I think, No. 1, Coach Glenn,” Fields said. “I’ve played against him early in my career. I know how passionate he is about the game, the way he coaches, the way his players play. So I think that was the biggest thing for me.”

After those comments, pundits speculated whether Fields lost confidence in Tomlin. Following a 4-2 start with Fields as the Steelers starting quarterback, Tomlin benched Fields in favor of Wilson.

Pundits also wondered if money was factor in Fields’ choice to sign with the Jets. CBS Sports’ Aditi Kinkhabwala reported on March 10 the Steelers didn’t offer the quarterback any guaranteed money beyond 2025.

If either of those were factors, Fields has rightfully avoided the topics. Instead, the quarterback appears focused on his relationship with the Jets new head coach.