Shhhhh! Justin Fields, Jets Working to Avoid the Circus and Revive QB’s Career

National Football League

Shhhhh! Justin Fields, Jets Working to Avoid the Circus and Revive QB’s Career

Updated Jul. 7, 2025, 3:18 p.m. ET

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – This spring, things were surprisingly quiet around the New York Jets’ practice fields — quieter than it’s been in ages. For years, the quarterback position has mostly been a source of chaos for the team, particularly during the tumultuous two-year era of Aaron Rodgers. However, Rodgers is now a concern for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and in his stead is a quarterback who is staying remarkably out of the limelight. Maybe it’s his background, maybe it’s the low expectations, or perhaps it’s simply who he is. Whatever the reason, Justin Fields is quietly establishing himself as the Jets’ latest quarterback hope. me777 slot philippines review

It turns out, the Jets prefer it that way. After decades of tumult, silence appears to be their new anthem.

“He’s not trying to be a celebrity quarterback,” new Jets coach Aaron Glenn remarked after a practice in May, echoing a sentiment from his mentor, Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells. “He’s just being himself. Whatever comes with that, comes with it. He’s not trying to impress anyone; he’s out there working hard to be the best quarterback he can for this team. Everyone sees that, and I appreciate it.”

So far, the Jets are pleased with what they’ve witnessed from the 26-year-old Fields since they inked him to a two-year, $40 million contract in March. He was their top choice this offseason, especially after the new regime of Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey decided to move on from the enigmatic and faltering Rodgers. They were elated when Fields chose the Jets over other suitors, despite the Steelers making an effort to bring him back.

According to Glenn, what they see in Fields is a talented quarterback who hasn’t been placed in many favorable situations since being drafted 11th overall in 2021. His first three seasons with the Chicago Bears were marred by frequent coaching changes, injuries, and an ongoing struggle for the starting job. The Bears eventually traded him to the Steelers for a sixth-round pick prior to the 2024 draft. Fields’ record as a starter for the Bears was 10-28 in three seasons.

Last season, Fields experienced a brief resurgence with the Steelers, starting the first six games in place of the injured Russell Wilson. Pittsburgh went 4-2 during this stretch, with Fields throwing just one interception and showing improvement in his tendency to scramble recklessly. He exceeded 200 passing yards in only two of his six starts but showcased a noteworthy uptick in accuracy, achieving a career-best completion rate of 65 bmw leasing.8%. However, once Wilson returned to health, Fields found himself back on the bench fb777pub.

Nevertheless, the Jets saw enough potential in Fields to name him their starter, even though not everyone in the NFL is convinced that this beleaguered franchise can provide him with the supportive environment he needs to thrive. This franchise has been on a seemingly endless quest for quarterback stability for nearly 50 years, following Joe Namath’s departure. Fields may not be the long-term answer or the franchise savior they’ve yearned for, but they believe he could be the perfect fit for now.

“He’s clearly a physically gifted player,” remarked new Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. “Everyone focuses on his running ability, but he has a strong arm and excels at that as well. Mentally, he’s exceptional. You can do so many things with a player of his caliber that will challenge a defense and keep defensive coordinators up at night.”

“You can feel his seriousness and competitiveness,” added Jets tight end Jeremy Ruckert, who played with Fields at Ohio State alongside current Jets receiver Garrett Wilson and center Josh Myers. “He’s incredibly athletic, but what really stands out is his mental toughness. He’s not easily rattled and is perfect for this team and this environment. He thrives under pressure.”

With high expectations looming, the Jets are coming off a disappointing 5-12 season, prompting owner Woody Johnson to clean house, dismissing both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas during the season. While the fanbase has grown accustomed to chaos, the Jets’ current plight is reaching unprecedented levels. They’ve missed the playoffs for a league-worst 14 consecutive years, suffering at least 10 losses in 10 of those seasons and finishing above .500 just once.

While no one expects Fields to single-handedly lift the team out of this abyss, his performance could serve as a significant indicator for the new regime, since signing him was their first major decision. They understand that reshaping Fields into the quarterback he was expected to be will be no small feat. Criticism surrounding his career has included concerns over his accuracy, his slow processing at the line of scrimmage, his tendency to run when he should stay in the pocket, and his frustrating inconsistency. Some of these shortcomings were evident during the spring, particularly during the mandatory minicamp in mid-June.

Yet, his strengths were also on display — his powerful arm, remarkable athleticism, and occasionally perfect passes that cut through the defense. This has given the Jets a glimmer of hope.

“You don’t find many quarterbacks who can move the way he can,” said safety Tony Adams. “People often underestimate his arm strength. He possesses great arm talent.”

“He’s a freak athlete,” added defensive end Rashad Weaver. “He has every desirable quality. His arm is like a rocket.”

Fields’ physical capabilities have never been questioned since he guided Ohio State to the college football playoffs during both his starting seasons. However, through four years in the NFL, he hasn’t fully harnessed that talent. The Jets are optimistic that they can address his flaws through more than just adjusting the offense around his abilities or implementing a run-oriented attack to minimize his responsibilities.

They’re taking an unconventional, hands-on approach by gaining insight into his perspective on the field. Throughout the spring, Jets quarterbacks wore GoPro cameras strapped to their helmets. They would later review the footage with coaches to collectively analyze progressions, allowing them to understand Fields’ perspective and thought process for every play.

“It’s incredible,” Engstrand said. “I can’t believe we didn’t think of this sooner. We can hear him at the line, making his checks. You can see where his eyes are going, and how he goes through his reads. You see everything from his viewpoint.”

Fields believes this method will expedite his learning process and help him decipher defenses. The coaches share this optimism, which goes beyond mere technical improvements; it’s about finding the right fit. So far, Fields has shown to be everything that Rodgers wasn’t, starting with his reliability. No extravagant distractions like camel rides through Egypt or airing grievances on national podcasts; Fields focuses on what leaders are meant to do — work hard and bond with teammates.

“Justin is investing time outside the facility to build relationships with all the players,” Glenn stated. “Not just the offensive players but the entire team. His communication across the board is fostering strong leadership.”

This small yet vital effort has not gone unnoticed. In May, Fields took his offensive linemen and tight ends to a golf simulator, joined teammates for a crab boil, and has dedicated time working out together outside the facilities, ensuring he develops one-on-one connections with as many teammates as possible.

“I believe that camaraderie and closeness we’re striving for as a team will inspire us to play harder for one another,” said Fields. “It’s about those intangible aspects that can’t be measured on the field; the closer we become, the better we’ll perform.”

Fields’ approach has made him relatable in ways that his peculiar predecessor was not. He consciously avoids placing himself on a pedestal as a quarterback, aligning himself on the same level as everyone in the Jets’ organization. As running back Breece Hall noted, his youth allows him to connect with the players more easily, “so we can discuss similar interests.” However, it’s his authenticity that truly sets him apart.

While Rodgers is now in Pittsburgh, the contrast between Fields’ off-field demeanor and his predecessor’s is hard to miss for Jets followers. He does not strive to fulfill expectations of what a quarterback “should be”; he is simply himself.

“He’s easy to be around,” Hall expressed. “He’s just a genuine person.”

“Teammates can sense when someone is being real or putting on an act,” Fields affirmed. “Therefore, being true to yourself is essential, as everyone can tell when someone is genuine.”

So far, Fields has been a calm, necessary influence. He has liberated the Jets from the Rodgers circus and typical quarterback distractions, showing the conventional offseason optimism associated with new teams by claiming, “I believe I can be great, and the sky’s the limit for this team.” However, he has avoided making any statements or taking actions that may induce unnecessary regional or national attention. What he has done, much to the appreciation of his teammates and coaches, is focus on hard work.

“This guy is a true workaholic,” Engstrand stated. “He arrives early and stays late, absorbing everything and striving to do things the right way.”

“He’s navigated a rollercoaster of experiences as a high draft choice moving between teams,” Weaver remarked. “But he comes in and puts in the work without appearing troubled by his circumstances. If this mindset and self-control persist, he’ll be just fine.”

Of course, while these developments are encouraging, Fields’ success ultimately hinges on his performance come fall. If the Jets are correct, the NFL may be in for a considerable surprise. This team is rich with offensive talent and has a formidable defense; they have just been waiting for an appropriate quarterback and an effective coaching strategy to unify them. If they are mistaken, they have lost little, considering Fields’ contract is small by NFL standards, with only $10 million guaranteed in 2026, allowing them to regroup in what is anticipated to be a quarterback-rich draft next year.

But they’re leaning towards the former. They believe that amid the Giants and Steelers pursuing Rodgers and teams like the Seahawks (with Sam Darnold) and Raiders (with Geno Smith) probing Jets cast-offs, they’ve unearthed a hidden gem. Justin Fields is determined to rise above the Jets’ long history of quarterback disappointments, including players like Aaron Rodgers and Sam Darnold.

It will be months before they discover whether their faith was justified. But for now, it’s clear that Fields is diligently working to validate their belief — quietly, away from the cameras and the sensationalist headlines. And he’s maintaining the same low-key approach on the field; he hasn’t been overly animated or flashy, nor does he elevate his voice with teammates axiebet88 link.

He’s simply entrenched in his work, striving to remain out of the spotlight.

“There’s a quiet confidence about him,” Engstrand remarked. “He leads by example. He has a noticeable presence in the huddle, and when he speaks, everyone listens. That’s what’s excellent about him; he doesn’t need to be loud or extravagant to communicate. It’s all about leading by example, and he knows when something needs to be addressed.”

“Yes, he does possess a quiet voice,” Glenn agreed. “But that doesn’t mean people ignore him. They see how hard he works; that speaks louder than words. I admire that he’s authentic and remains true to himself without conforming to anyone else’s expectations.”

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