FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields, despite a rocky start to his career, feels he’s on the cusp of a breakout season. For him, it’s the right team, the right time, and the ideal scheme.
Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million contract in March, joins his third team and will play for his fourth offensive coordinator in five years. The new play-caller is Tanner Engstrand, who recently served as the Detroit Lions’ passing game coordinator. The Jets’ new scheme will have a Detroit flavor, so Fields is dedicating a lot of time, both with the coaches and on his own, to studying the Lions’ recordings.I think I can be great. That’s been my goal my whole life, my whole career. I think the sky’s the limit for this team, for this offense, but we still have a long way to go.
Justin Fields
Obviously, he’s a player with a lot of physical talent. Everyone talks about his ability to run, but the kid also has a great arm and does a great job with it.
Tanner Engstrand
Mentally, it’s phenomenal. It’s been absolutely phenomenal so far and we expect more of that. There are many things that can be done with that type of player that will test a defense and make the defensive coordinator lose sleep at night as we move forward with this.
Tanner Engstrand
First-year coach Aaron Glenn noted that the goal is to make Fields a complete quarterback, not just known for his running ability. Glenn believes that Fields, 26, and selected in the first round by the Chicago Bears in 2021, has untapped potential as a passer.
While Fields’ career statistics are not impressive, he has improved in his last 12 starts, six last year with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the last six games with the Bears in 2023. In those 12 starts, he achieved an 8-4 record, with 17 passing/rushing touchdowns and only seven turnovers. Previously, his record was 6-26, with 46 and 35, respectively.
The Jets, who acquired Fields to replace Aaron Rodgers, hope his professional trajectory continues to rise.You just see some of the things that are starting to develop in their game, and then you look at that and say, ‘That’s pretty good. We can do some things with that.’
Tanner Engstrand
Fields has impressed his new coaches and teammates with his calm leadership. His confidence is “unwavering”, according to Glenn, who chose Fields to lead the organization in the post-Rodgers era. They have made it clear that Fields, 26, is the undisputed starter.
Fields will debut on September 7 against the Steelers, the team that traded him last year and then benched him in favor of Russell Wilson after a 4-2 start. Fields offered no information about the matchup.Our offense and defense are new, so the guys are really attentive and focused, trying to understand everything. But I think once we do, I think the sky’s the limit. We have all the players we need, we have all the talent, so it will really come down to discipline and execution.
Justin Fields
That’s the team we played in Week 1. I didn’t really think about that.
Justin Fields
Any extra emotion?
No.
Justin Fields
