Jets fans have been understandably furious this offseason after their team finished 5-12 last season.
No matter the team’s moves, fans have had an adverse reaction.
That includes Justin Fields agreeing to terms with the Jets on Monday afternoon. However, he is precisely the quarterback the Jets need to kick off their new regime with Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey.
Gang Green agreed to a two-year deal with Fields for $40 million with $30 million guaranteed. In terms of quarterback money these days, that won’t break the Jets’ bank, and the deal is a low-risk and possibly high-reward.
After releasing Aaron Rodgers last month, the Jets didn’t have many quarterback options in free agency. No Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, or Lamar Jackson was available in free agency this year. There was also no chance that Sam Darnold, who agreed to terms with the Seahawks, would return to the team that drafted him in 2018.
Many Jets fans would say they should have kept Rodgers for another season. But insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting a different result. After the last two seasons, it was clear the Rodgers experience wasn’t working, so Glenn and Mougey decided to part ways with the four-time NFL MVP.
Fields may not be the passer Rodgers is, even in his advancing age, but he brings an element to the Jets offense they desperately need. Unlike Rodgers, Fields can escape pressure in the pocket during passing situations. He also can use his legs to create explosive rushing plays on the ground.
In four seasons, Fields has rushed for 2,509 yards and 19 touchdowns. Because of his ability to scramble in and out of the pocket, Fields can help a Jets offense that struggled to run the ball last season after finishing 31st (91.8 yards per game) in rushing.
With Fields now under center, Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand can lean more on the team’s rushing attack with running backs Breece Hall, Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis, much like the Lions did when Engstrand was the passing game coordinator. Glenn is trying to build a culture with the Jets and that starts with toughness.
A season ago, Detroit was sixth in rushing yards per game (146.4).
“Was a huge part of that Detroit Lions offense,” Glenn said about Engstrand at last month’s combine. “I know Ben Johnson got all the credit, but there’s a number of people that was around him, including [Jets offensive line coach] Steve Heiden, who I also have on the staff.
“He’s going to do a really good job for us. He was the passing game coordinator there, and it’s time for him to be a coordinator.”
Speaking of the passing game, Fields has improved in that area. As a rookie with the Bears, he completed just 58.9% of his passes in 12 games. After he was traded from the Bears to the Steelers last off-season, Fields, in limited work, improved his completion percentage immensely. He completed a career-high 65.8% of his passes in 10 games (six starts) in Pittsburgh.
Fields wasn’t surrounded by the best talent in Chicago, with subpar weapons and an offensive line that had him on roller skates constantly. Then, when the Bears didn’t have the team success they expected, they shipped Fields out after acquiring the No. 1 pick last year and later selecting Caleb Williams. The Steelers also didn’t have the best supporting cast around Fields, and they benched him for Russell Wilson as soon as the veteran was 100% after suffering a preseason calf injury.
Fields could potentially be the Jets’ long-term solution at quarterback. He will be reunited with Garrett Wilson, whom he played two seasons with at Ohio State. After being visibly frustrated by the forced Rodgers/Davante Adams connection last season, Wilson should have better chemistry with Fields.
In recent years, the Jets have also rebuilt their offensive line, which was a solid unit in 2024. That should give Fields a chance to have a well-rounded passing game and a rushing attack, providing balance.
Not only did the Jets get Fields at a great price, but they can move on from him next year if he struggles. If Gang Green releases Fields with a June 1 designation next off-season, they would gain $10 million in salary cap space, according to Over the Cap.
I get it Jets fans, it has been 14 seasons since they last made the playoffs. Yes, you never achieved the Super Bowl dreams with Rodgers at quarterback. But there’s nothing wrong with being optimistic about the Fields era with the Jets.
The Jets are rolling the dice on Fields and his talented skill set. Sure, Fields has a lot to work on, including becoming a consistent passer. But if the Fields reclamation project works the same way Darnold, Baker Mayfield, and Geno Smith have, the Jets’ offense could be better than many expect in 2025.
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