The New York Jets are hoping Justin Fields is the answer at quarterback.
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn believes the former Pittsburgh Steelers and Chicago Bears quarterback is poised for a solid season in New York.
“He has a quiet confidence about himself,” Glenn told NFL Network Senior National Columnist Judy Battista on Sunday at the Annual League Meeting. “He can really throw the deep ball really, really well. Obviously, his legs are something that’s dynamic not just in college but the NFL as well. I just think he’s ready to break out as a top-notch quarterback. So, he’s going to do everything he can to be one of the better ones and we are going to coach our asses off to make sure he does a good job out there.”
The Jets will take all the confidence they can get behind Glenn and his new QB. Fields will be taking over the starting job in New York after the Aaron Rodgers era.
In Fields’ one-year stop in Pittsburgh, he showed that he could win some games with his arms and legs. He started the first six games of the 2024 season with Russell Wilson dealing with a calf injury. With Wilson eventually taking over the starting job, Fields finished 4-2 as a starter in Pittsburgh. He completed a career-high 65.8% of his passes for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. Fields also contributed 62 rushes for 289 yards and five rushing TDs.
When Glenn was asked how he envisions using Fields, the Jets first-year head coach replied, “I envision him playing quarterback. Whatever that may be, that’s how we are going to utilize him.”
Along with Glenn’s vision of how to use Fields, he expects newly-signed wide receiver Josh Reynolds to make an impact in the run game, one of Fields’ strengths.
“Leadership, first and foremost,” Glenn said of his expectations for Reynolds on offense. “Obviously, a guy that’s been there and done that. He’s familiar with what we want to do on offense. The one thing people don’t realize is that he’s a really good blocker, which opens up a lot of other things on your offense. Usually, when your receivers block, big plays happen.”
Glenn has brought in some pieces to put Fields in the best position to succeed in Year 1, and he’ll be looking to add more to the puzzle in the 2025 NFL Draft.