There are no moral victories in sports.
But the Jets and their fans should feel optimistic after their 34-32 Week 1 loss to the Steelers.
The task doesn’t get any easier this weekend when Gang Green hosts Buffalo at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon. However, the Jets have beaten the Bills in two of their last three home games in the series. So, don’t be surprised if this game is another one that comes down to the wire.
Sunday’s game is critical for the Jets because, following the Bills, they will travel to Florida in back-to-back weeks to play the Buccaneers and Dolphins.
Before Week 2’s matchup, let’s open up the mailbag and answer some of your questions.
Is this version of Justin Fields able to be replicated? — @xctgz
This is the million-dollar question after Fields’ superb game against the Steelers. He completed 16-of-22 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown pass and finished with a total QBR of 79.4. Fields also rushed for 48 yards and two TDs.
I’m going to trust that Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is going to continue to get the most out of Fields on a week-to-week basis. Fields was decisive and efficient against the Steelers, unlike what we saw during training camp and the preseason.
The most impressive area of Fields’ performance against the Steelers was his pocket presence. He was cool, calm and collected against the Pittsburgh front line, which included future Hall of Famers T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward.
It was only one game, and Fields will have his peaks and valleys this season, but the Jets believe Fields could be the next quarterback who revives his career in a new place. After Sunday’s game, I’m starting to turn into a believer myself.
Safe to say that Stephens gets a lot more leeway because of his contract than Gipson? If so, how much if his poor play continues? — @goessbo
As good as Fields’ debut went for the Jets, it went in the opposite direction for cornerback Brandon Stephens. He allowed five completions for 60 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets against the Steelers.
Stephens signed a three-year, $36 million contract in March, so obviously, they have a lot invested in the former Raven. On Thursday, Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks was quick to say Stephens had one of the best training camps of anyone and the main issue is “just really with his eyes.”
But Stephens’ head positioning was also a problem with the Ravens last season. He allowed the fifth-most receptions (65) in the NFL, and opposing quarterbacks had a 107.4 passer rating when Stephens was in coverage. With Sauce Gardner playing at a high level, except opposing teams to target Stephens early and often this season.
If this continues to be an issue, the Jets may have to consider playing third-round pick Azareye’h Thomas more. However, I don’t expect that to happen in the next few weeks.
Do you see the Jets making any moves at the deadline for a WR2? — @NewEraNYJets
It depends on where the Jets are record-wise at the trade deadline (Nov. 4).
If Gang Green is still in the AFC wild card race, it is possible, depending on who is on the trade block. Raiders wideout Jakobi Meyers has requested a trade, but the team has no plans to move on from him.
If the Jets were to trade for Meyers, they would also have to pay him. He is in the final year of a contract he signed in 2023.
One thing I do know is this: The Jets cannot just rely on Garrett Wilson to create plays down the field. Out of Fields’ 16 completions, seven of them went to Wilson.
I expect opposing teams to start double-teaming Wilson and force another receiver to beat them. Who that is, remains to be seen.
Will the Jets do an in-season extension with John Simpson? — @Jetscap
Before Alijah Vera-Tucker’s triceps injury, I thought it was possible. But now, I think the Jets brass will play out the string with Simpson.
During the offseason, Simpson dealt with a back issue that limited him, but he was still able to play 63 snaps and didn’t allow a sack against the Steelers.
At 28 years old, the Jets may decide to go younger. Or if they do re-sign Simpson, it would be a low-risk two-year deal while they also look for his eventual successor.
What could bode well for a possible Simpson return is that Vera-Tucker will also be a free agent following the 2025 season. So the Jets may prefer to look for one guard in free agency and the draft instead of both on the right and left side.
