After Justin Fields’ efficiency within the loss to Denver in London, many have questioned if the Jets want to vary quarterbacks.
Though Aaron Glenn will hold him because the beginning quarterback this week in opposition to the Panthers, he mentioned Fields took a step again final week after the crew completed with -10 web passing yards.
Throughout his press convention on Wednesday, Fields acknowledged he must play higher and be extra aggressive.
“I feel like I’ve been a little bit too conservative in a sense,” Fields mentioned. “Most likely simply be a bit bit extra aggressive.
“I’ve always just been big on ball security, and not playing the ball in jeopardy, but, you know, it comes to a point where you just gotta find that healthy balance between trying to maybe fit it in, smaller windows, and you know, just letting it rip.”
Fields is coming off one in every of his worst video games since getting into the NFL. He accomplished simply 9-of-17 passes for 45 yards. Fields was additionally sacked 9 instances, with most of these coming when he held the ball too lengthy within the pocket.
Whereas Fields has not thrown an interception this season (799 yards and 4 touchdowns), the Jets actually want him to throw the ball down the sphere a bit extra. Solely one in every of his passes in opposition to the Broncos was thrown greater than 10 yards from the road of scrimmage.
“I mean, it’s not hard. It’s just, you know, change your mindset, going into a game,” Fields mentioned about being extra aggressive. “However I mentioned, the ball is essential to us as an offense, however on the similar time, you understand, a few of these dangers that you would be able to say can flip into explosive performs.
“It’s just, you know, finding a happy meeting between those two.”
As well as, the Jets and Fields got two layup possibilities to attain factors to begin the sport. The Jets began within the Broncos’ territory on their first two drives, just for them to muster up a mixed 4 yards and two area objectives.
Fields’ offense additionally couldn’t do a lot in any respect to make the most of their alternatives. Seven of the Jets’ 12 possessions didn’t lead to a primary down. In addition they simply had two drives that gained greater than 20 yards.
The tip of the iceberg got here on the finish of the primary half, when Glenn selected to let the ultimate 30 seconds run off the clock on a fourth down as an alternative of operating one other play from the Jets’ 47-yard line. Glenn later mentioned he ought to have thrown a Hail Mary earlier than halftime, however admitted that he didn’t need the Broncos to get the ball again with an opportunity to attain.
The Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, together with $30 million assured in March. Principally, the 2025 season is a one-year audition to show Fields can’t solely be the Jets’ beginning quarterback of the long run, but additionally a starter anyplace, after his failed stints with the Bears and Steelers.
However the Jets are going to provide Fields each alternative to show he may be profitable below heart.
Shortly after he signed with the Jets, Glenn mentioned they had been going to let Fields “play quarterback.” However at instances, Fields has regarded hesitant to throw the ball down the sphere or in any respect.
Glenn additionally desires to see Fields take extra possibilities down the sphere. However on Wednesday, the coach additionally took a little bit of a shot at followers and the media, who’ve criticized Fields’ play this season.
“I think that’s for any quarterback, especially when you have man coverage to give a guy a chance,” Glenn mentioned. “However I do know if one thing dangerous occurs, you guys are going to be bit—ng about that, about him.
“You know, so the thing is, he’s just got to go out there and play quarterback and do the best that he can, but I don’t come off that at all. You know, when you’re in man coverage, I mean you’ve got to give the guys a chance to go catch the ball.”
It could possibly be robust sledding for the Jets’ offense this week in opposition to the Panthers as a result of they could be with out two of their receivers. Each Garrett Wilson (knee) and Josh Reynolds (hip) didn’t apply on Wednesday.
That’s problematic as a result of these are the Jets’ prime two receivers. Wilson leads the crew with 36 receptions for 395 yards and 4 touchdowns and Reynolds is second with eight catches for 72 yards. With Wilson and Reynolds, the Jets are twenty eighth in yards (279.8) and twenty fifth in factors per recreation (20.5).
“I mean, if he can’t go, then, of course, that’s gonna be a blow for our offense,” Fields mentioned about presumably being with out Wilson this week. “But, it’s the next man up mentality. Some guys are going to get oppotunities on the offensive side of the ball to make plays.”
