The New York Jets are franchise who have been unable to figure out the quarterback position for over two decades but have renewed hope entering the 2025 NFL season with the dynamic Justin Fields taking over under center.
Despite the legitimate reasons for optimism entering Fields’ first year with his new team, there is still a feeling that the Ohio State product has this one last chance to prove he is a franchise caliber quarterback in the NFL this season.
Jets QB Justin Fields Named the Top Storyline Entering Training Camp
Benjamin Solak of ESPN recently talked about his top storylines entering training camp and asked the question most Jets fans are asking themselves entering the 2025 NFL season writing, “What does Justin Fields do with this (last) chance?”
Once upon a time the Chicago Bears traded up in round one of the 2021 NFL Draft to select Fields, but he is now joining his third different team in as many seasons.
Solak wrote, “Both came from Detroit, and Glenn in particular watched his defenses get ravaged by Fields’ legs twice a season. Fields’ last three games as a Bear against Glenn’s defense: 12 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown; 10 carries for 132 yards; 13 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns.”
Fields flashed elite rushing ability during his breakout year in 2022, but was quickly discarded by the Chicago Bears after a middling season in 2023.
Despite landing with the Pittsburgh Steelers and leading them to a 4-2 record through the first six weeks of the season, he was benched in favor of veteran QB Russell Wilson.
Solak added, “When Fields finally got out of Chicago last season, I was thrilled for him. Few franchises have been worse at QB development over the past several seasons than the Bears. The Steelers are another such candidate, as they have struggled to modernize their offensive approach or flood their roster with pass catchers for a young quarterback. Of course, Fields joined Pittsburgh as a backup behind Russell Wilson, and he started only six games while Wilson recovered from a calf injury.”
The Jets capitalized on the Steelers’ decision to bench Fields this offseason by signing the dynamic dual threat quarterback to a deal multi-year deal in free agency, but Solak makes an interesting point about Fields joining a third straight franchise with a track record of recent failures to develop quarterbacks.
Can Jets OC Tanner Engstrand Help Justin Fields Reach His True Potential in 2025?
The Jets roster has a great stable of running backs and a solid offensive line but it will be interesting to see how New York offensive coordinator (OC) Tanner Engstrand will try to get the most out of Fields as a passer with Garrett Wilson leading an otherwise uninspiring receiver room entering the season.
Solak added, “Now, the Jets have few pass catchers behind Garrett Wilson, but they have a pretty solid offensive line. I don’t think they’ll tip their hand (and put Fields in harm’s way) too much during training camp, but I’ll be watching the reports closely. And I won’t be surprised if we see a 2022-like season for Fields. Back then, he posted 160 carries for 1,143 yards, the second most all time for a quarterback. If he can replicate that season with his legs, while getting more passing game help from Engstrand and Wilson than he ever got in Chicago, there just might be something there.”
The Jets’ offense has some nice pieces in place and possess a playoff caliber defense but the success of this team will largely fall on Fields without a dynamic collection of pass catchers to make his life easier in 2025.
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