Entering the 2025-26 season, expectations aren’t very high for the New York Jets. The club isn’t asked to contend for a playoff spot, but instead simply showcase some form of growth under new leadership.
Part of that leadership, at least from those on the roster, includes quarterback Justin Fields. Now on his third team in as many years, the former No. 11 overall NFL Draft pick is at a career crossroads of sorts. His hope (and the franchise’s hope) is that he finds his long-term home with the Jets.
Should that be the case, many would credit New York instead of Fields. ESPN’s David Dennis Jr. took offense to that possibility on an episode of “First Take.”
Dennis: ‘Disrespectful’ to Credit Someone Else for Potential Justin Fields Breakout
When asked whether wide receiver Garrett Wilson will save Fields’ career, Dennis took a broader approach. He pointed to the unique paths of now-famous journeyman quarterbacks as examples of what Fields could experience.
“I do think that Justin Fields will have a better season,” Dennis said. “We may look at the Geno Smith of this, the Sam Darnold of this, because we know a couple of things. Justin Fields is going to do one thing: He’s going to find that wide receiver No. 1 and get the ball to him as often as possible. I think Wilson is a great guy for him to do that. He’s also going to use his legs and move around. A couple years ago, he had an incredible rushing season – one of the best we’ve ever seen.”
Don’t get it twisted: Wilson will undoubtedly be a major part of Fields’ development. After all, he’s fresh off a huge contract extension and is a Pro Bowl level of player.
Dennis acknowledges the environment the Jets have, although he still wants to give Fields his due respect.
“I think combined with what you have with that Jets organization, with the OC [Tanner Engstrand], I think we’re going to see this year we have from Justin Fields where he breaks through and has that type of comeback where we look at this [being] the guy everybody thought he was going to be when he came into the league,” Dennis said. “It’s a little disrespectful to say that one wide receiver, one piece of that, is going to save his career because Justin Fields, with the talent he has by himself and what the rest of the Jets are going to do around him, is going to save his own career and [be] rejuvenated by what we’re going to see this season.”
How the Jets Can Get the Most Out of Fields in 2025
Thus far in his career, Fields has established a clear floor for what he is as a player. Even at his worst, he possesses the ability to change a game with his legs. His 2022 campaign with the Chicago Bears, which saw him rush for 1,143 yards and 8 touchdowns, is a prime example. As a passer, Fields has a live arm and the ability to extend plays.
Fields’ per-snap consistency remains the question. The team can only work around that so much. Should Engstrand opt for a run-heavy approach (either with Fields or halfback Breece Hall), that will theoretically open up the passing attack. Wilson is a reliable weapon. When things break down, however, it’ll be on Fields to overcome things like pressure, quality coverage, miscommunications, late-game intensity and more. The latter elements are what make a great quarterback.
Maximizing Fields’ strengths and minimizing his weaknesses is a good start. But any sort of breakout he has, similar to Smith or Darnold, will have to stem from two things. One, of course, is a good fit. The second one is internal development. The latter is just as important as the former.
With that in mind, Dennis makes a good point. If Fields is criticized for things not panning out, he should be praised when and if they do.
