The Jets will shift into Phase 3 of their offseason program next week when OTAs begin. Justin Fields, the team’s new starting quarterback, has already been on the field during voluntary workouts at 1 Jets Drive.
“There’s a quiet confidence about that man that’s unshakable and even though he’s not the most vocal person — he’s active with his body language,” HC Aaron Glenn said of Fields. “He’s active with his one-on-one conversations. If he has to stand in front of the guys and say something — he will. He will. He’s not one of those guys that’s going to talk just to talk because sometimes if you do that, you know players around you can get deadhead. But he says things when it needs to be said.”
Fields, 26, the No. 11 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, will start for his third team in five pro seasons when the Jets open the regular season in Week 1. Over 50 career games and 44 starts, Fields (6-3, 227) has completed 61.1% of his passes for 7,780 yards with 45 TDs and 31 INTs. He’s also rushed for 2,509 yards and 19 scores.
“Now, he’s a really good athlete,” Glenn said. “He works his butt off in the weight room. He’s another guy that he’s doing everything he can to improve and whatever advantage he can get from coaching, strength and conditioning, being on the field, he’s going to get that. He’s going to take that advantage and he’s going to run with it, so I’m very happy with where he’s at and I’m very happy with actually all the quarterbacks that we have in this program right now and I know they’re going to push each other to be better.”
Fields played three seasons in Chicago before the Bears traded him to the Steelers on March 16, 2024 in exchange for a sixth-round pick. He went 4-2 as a starter last season with Pittsburgh while playing in 10 games, totaling 10 TDs and 1,395 yards against just 2 turnovers.
“I’ve always been a team player,” Fields said in April. “I’ve always been advocating on putting myself behind the team, so like I said I’m not really going to get too much into depth on what happened in Chicago and what happened last year with Pittsburgh. I am grateful for all the experiences that I’ve had. I met a lot of great people there, built a lot of relationships that will last a lifetime, and I think of course the more time you have in the league, the more experience you have. I think I’m progressing and getting better each and every year. I’m excited to get things rolling this year.”