New York Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields continues to struggle at training camp. During Tuesday’s practice, the occasionally inaccurate quarterback completed 9-of-16 passes in team drills and 1-of-4 during 7-on-7, per Rich Cimini. Over the last three practices, Fields is 15-of-42 in team drills for a 37.5% completion percentage.

The expectation this offseason is that new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand will install a run-heavy offense. Fields’ passing struggles at camp currently indicate that’s the right approach to take. If the Jets offense is even league-average this year, it means they ran the football effectively.

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Improving the ground-and-pound attack has been a point of emphasis for head coach Aaron Glenn and Engstrand. Understandably so. They’re inheriting a rushing offense that averaged a second-worst 91.8 yards per game.

There’s reason to believe it’ll be significantly better in 2025. Firstly, Fields is a dual-threat quarterback. Replacing Aaron Rodgers with Fields should make a notable difference in the backfield. The Jets’ new quarterback rushed for 1,800 yards across 2022 and 2023.

The Jets also made investments on the offensive line. First-round pick Armand Membou should greatly improve the right tackle spot. Ascending blockers like Olu Fashanu and Joe Tippmann should also be improved versions of themselves in 2025.

Coach Glenn is also hoping to have a healthy, effective Breece Hall in the backfield. It’s a contract year for Hall, who is attempting to earn a lucrative extension in East Rutherford. Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis are also capable of positively impacting the offensive gameplan.

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Fields hasn’t thrown the ball with any consistency throughout training camp. His history indicates he’s an indecisive, inaccurate quarterback. Coach Engstrand needs to continue investing in the run game if the Jets’ offense is to avoid disappointment in 2025.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Justin Fields’ struggles prove Jets are right to install run-first offense