After Justin Fields’ performance in the loss to Denver in London, many have questioned if the Jets need to change quarterbacks.
Although Aaron Glenn will keep him as the starting quarterback this week against the Panthers, he said Fields took a step back last week after the team finished with -10 net passing yards.
During his press conference on Wednesday, Fields acknowledged he needs to play better and be more aggressive.
“I feel like I’ve been a little bit too conservative in a sense,” Fields said. “Probably just be a little bit more aggressive.
“I’ve always just been big on ball security, and not playing the ball in jeopardy, but, you know, it comes to a point where you just gotta find that healthy balance between trying to maybe fit it in, smaller windows, and you know, just letting it rip.”
Fields is coming off one of his worst games since entering the NFL. He completed just 9-of-17 passes for 45 yards. Fields was also sacked nine times, with most of those coming when he held the ball too long in the pocket.
While Fields has not thrown an interception this season (799 yards and four touchdowns), the Jets certainly need him to throw the ball down the field a bit more. Only one of his passes against the Broncos was thrown more than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage.
“I mean, it’s not hard. It’s just, you know, change your mindset, going into a game,” Fields said about being more aggressive. “But I said, the ball is very important to us as an offense, but at the same time, you know, some of those risks that you can say can turn into explosive plays.
“It’s just, you know, finding a happy meeting between those two.”
In addition, the Jets and Fields were given two layup chances to score points to start the game. The Jets started in the Broncos’ territory on their first two drives, only for them to muster up a combined four yards and two field goals.
Fields’ offense also couldn’t do much at all to take advantage of their opportunities. Seven of the Jets’ 12 possessions failed to result in a first down. They also just had two drives that gained more than 20 yards.
The tip of the iceberg came at the end of the first half, when Glenn chose to let the final 30 seconds run off the clock on a fourth down instead of running another play from the Jets’ 47-yard line. Glenn later said he should have thrown a Hail Mary before halftime, but admitted that he didn’t want the Broncos to get the ball back with a chance to score.
The Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, including $30 million guaranteed in March. Basically, the 2025 season is a one-year audition to prove Fields can not only be the Jets’ starting quarterback of the future, but also a starter anywhere, after his failed stints with the Bears and Steelers.
But the Jets are going to give Fields every opportunity to prove he can be successful under center.
Shortly after he signed with the Jets, Glenn said they were going to let Fields “play quarterback.” But at times, Fields has looked hesitant to throw the ball down the field or at all.
Glenn also wants to see Fields take more chances down the field. But on Wednesday, the coach also took a bit of a shot at fans and the media, who have criticized Fields’ play this season.
“I think that’s for any quarterback, especially when you have man coverage to give a guy a chance,” Glenn said. “But I do know if something bad happens, you guys are going to be bit—ng about that, about him.
“You know, so the thing is, he’s just got to go out there and play quarterback and do the best that he can, but I don’t come off that at all. You know, when you’re in man coverage, I mean you’ve got to give the guys a chance to go catch the ball.”
It could be tough sledding for the Jets’ offense this week against the Panthers because they might be without two of their receivers. Both Garrett Wilson (knee) and Josh Reynolds (hip) did not practice on Wednesday.
That is problematic because those are the Jets’ top two receivers. Wilson leads the team with 36 receptions for 395 yards and four touchdowns and Reynolds is second with eight catches for 72 yards. With Wilson and Reynolds, the Jets are 28th in yards (279.8) and 25th in points per game (20.5).
“I mean, if he can’t go, then, of course, that’s gonna be a blow for our offense,” Fields said about possibly being without Wilson this week. “But, it’s the next man up mentality. Some guys are going to get oppotunities on the offensive side of the ball to make plays.”
