FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Regardless of an uneven begin to his profession, New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields believes he is on the cusp of a breakout season. The best way he sees it, it is the fitting workforce, the fitting time and the fitting scheme.
“I feel I could be nice,” Fields mentioned Thursday after the Jets’ fifth OTA follow. “That is been the objective for me my complete life, my complete profession. I feel the sky is the restrict for this workforce, for this offense, however we do have a protracted method to go.”
Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million contract in March, is on his third workforce, enjoying for his fourth offensive coordinator in 5 years. His new play caller is first-year coordinator Tanner Engstrand, most just lately the Detroit Lions’ passing-game coordinator. The Jets’ new scheme can have a Detroit taste, so Fields is spending loads of time – with the coaches and on his personal – finding out Lions tape.
“He is clearly a bodily proficient participant,” Engstrand mentioned, talking to the native media for the primary time. “Everyone talks in regards to the working — properly, the man’s bought an arm, too, and he does a fantastic job with that.
“Mentally, he is phenomenal. He is been completely phenomenal up to now and we anticipate extra out of that. There’s simply loads of issues that you are able to do with that kind of participant that is going to place stress on a protection and make that defensive coordinator keep up late at night time as we get going into this factor.”
First-year coach Aaron Glenn mentioned the objective is to make Fields a whole quarterback, not only a quarterback recognized for his working capability. He believes Fields, 26, the Chicago Bears’ first-round choose in 2021, has untapped potential as a passer.
Fields’ profession numbers aren’t that spectacular, however he has improved over his final 12 begins – six final yr with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the ultimate six video games with the Bears in 2023. In these 12 begins, he produced an 8-4 document, with 17 passing/speeding touchdowns and solely seven turnovers. Previous to that, he was 6-26, with 46 and 35, respectively.
The Jets, who acquired Fields to interchange Aaron Rodgers, anticipate his profession trajectory to proceed.
“You simply see a number of the issues which might be beginning to develop in his recreation, and you then take a look at that and also you go, ‘That is fairly good. We are able to do some issues with that,'” Engstrand mentioned.
Fields has impressed his new coaches and teammates together with his quiet management. His confidence is “unshakable,” based on Glenn, who tapped Fields to guide the group within the post-Rodgers period. They’ve made it clear that Fields, 26, is the undisputed starter.
“Our offense and protection are new, so guys are actually tuned in and locked in and making an attempt to get every part down,” Fields mentioned. “However I feel as soon as we do, I feel the sky is the restrict. I imply, we’ve got all the blokes we want, we’ve got all of the expertise, so it is actually simply going to return right down to self-discipline and execution.”
Fields will debut Sept. 7 in opposition to the Steelers, the workforce that traded for him final yr, then benched him in favor of Russell Wilson after a 4-2 begin. Fields provided no perception on the matchup.
“That is who we play Week 1,” he mentioned. “It wasn’t actually a thought to that.”
Any further emotion?
“No.”
