Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets After taking over for the injured Aaron Rodgers, Fields has proven he can be productive. He has a huge role to fill after Aaron Rodgers’ sudden departure. In March, Fields inked his contract with the Jets. His combination of talent and known personality as a “culture-shifting” prospect should go a long way towards making that a reality. On the day of his signing, he showed up wearing a “Humble over Hype” T-shirt. This decision serves as a perfect microcosm of his approach to the game and life outside the lines.
Fields’ journey has been one of strength and purpose in the face of adversity. He entered the NFL draft after just one season, where he was taken 11th overall by the Chicago Bears and spent two seasons with the team before being traded. He opened his professional career with a remarkable mark of 4-2 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unfortunately, he did not end up remaining with the club long-term. Now, Fields is in a position to be the face of a franchise ready to win after Aaron Rodgers’ departure.
And whether he’s leading the huddle or just standing still, the 24-year-old quarterback has an unshakable quiet confidence that has veterans on both sides of the ball talking. Aaron Glenn, the first-year coach of the Jets, knew this character trait when they chose Fields to be Rodgers’ successor. Glenn lauded Fields for his insatiable hunger, his internal drive, dedication to improvement.
“There’s a quiet confidence about that man that’s unshakable,” – Aaron Glenn
Fields’ performance statistics reflect his dual-threat capability. He has tallied 45 TDs compared to 31 INTs over his five-year pro career along with a 61% completion percentage. That’s a big reason why he’s never over the 350+ rushing yard mark for a season to this point. Yet, it’s his foot speed and quick twitch athleticism that make him such a difficult player for opposing defenses to contain.
During his tenure with the Chicago Bears, Fields displayed moments of brilliance, but a lack of consistency hampered his early career. Last season, as a six-game starter with the Steelers, he pushed that completion percentage undeniably high at 68%. This positive progress further illustrates how the player is internalizing past mistakes to avoid them going forward. They are adjusting to the needs of the NFL.
Fields has been given a tough hand throughout his young career, especially with things like his awful 1-10 record against the division-rival Detroit Lions. In fact, he has a 2-3 all-time record against the Scarlet Knights, with three of his four highest rushing outputs coming in those defeats. He notched 147/154, 132/197, and 104/157-yard games in those contests—mind-blowing outings against talented SEC defenses. These statistics are a good indicator of his incredible potential, but his lack of experience in key matchups still requires development.
Colleagues, including his predecessor, have lauded Fields for his aptitude for bonding with teammates outside of football. This remarkable gift cements his status as these children’s principal shepherd. He still sees some of his teammates at a local golf simulator. That’s what makes him such a great relationships builder and creates a sense of camaraderie on the team.
“Even though he’s not the most vocal person, he’s active with his body language. He’s active with his one-on-one conversations,” – Aaron Glenn
Traveling to East Lansing with him was another teammate, Jeremy Ruckert, who voiced the same thoughts on Fields’ character. He made it clear that Fields doesn’t let other people’s opinions get to him. Rather, he is driven by a deep internal drive to succeed.
“I think he’s very internally driven and always wants to be the best for all the right reasons.” – Jeremy Ruckert
Ruckert echoed that Fields brings the spirit required to succeed in New York.
“I think he’s a perfect fit for New York and the atmosphere that you get put in. He’s going to work every day and showcase that attitude,” – Jeremy Ruckert
Fields’ humility and workmanlike manner stands out in sharp contrast to a handful of these other professional sports loudmouths. His approach is truly refreshing though. He keeps all eyes on the goal, keeping an even keel despite outside pressure. To be sure, as he continues on through this new NBA chapter with the Jets, the expectations will be plenty high.
The Jets have embraced Fields with open arms, as they too look to continue the momentum established over the last several seasons. Now, with a new coaching staff headed by Glenn, there’s a wave of optimism around the place. Its centerpiece, quarterback Justin Fields, has jaw-dropping athleticism and a humble disposition. This powerful combination of difference makers on offense and defense might be exactly what the Jets needed to make the jump from rebuilder to AFC East spoiler.
As Fields gets more familiar with his new role, he will inevitably undergo the harshest criticism from fans and analysts. Friends and associates say that he has the mental toughness required to flourish in such a pressure cooker. His commitment to continuous improvement and openness to challenge are promising signs that he will find success in the Big Apple.
“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,” – Aaron Glenn
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