Throughout his 4 seasons within the NFL, Justin Fields hasn’t been in one of the best of conditions.
That features final season when he began six video games with the Steelers and was later benched after Russell Wilson (calf) was totally wholesome.
In his first media availability after signing a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets, Fields took the excessive highway and stated he believes issues occur for a purpose.
“I was put in a place where I was never in my entire life,” Fields stated. “I attempted to have a unique perspective on it. In fact, Russ has been within the league for a very long time, so I discovered lots of nice issues from him.
“Bought to study a unique perspective of issues. He’s been within the league a very long time. Simply seeing how he works daily, seeing his routine and choosing issues that I can implement into my routine into my recreation. It was, after all, totally different for me in an area the place I wasn’t essentially snug.
“At the end of the day, Coach Tomlin made a decision what he thought was best for the team and I’m never going to go against that. I’m not a selfish guy whatsoever. I just tried to change my perspective, get better each and every day in practice.”
Final season was undoubtedly a change for Fields, who has largely been the highest quarterback on the depth chart on no matter workforce he has been with. A five-star recruit from Kennesaw, Georgia, Fields was rated the No. 2 participant within the nation after fellow Georgia native Trevor Lawrence in 2018.
Fields initially attended Georgia and was the Bulldogs’ backup his freshman season in 2018. Nonetheless, he transferred to Ohio State in 2019 and have become one of many nation’s finest quarterbacks. In 22 video games for the Buckeyes, Fields handed for five,373 yards, 63 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions.
That led to Fields being drafted eleventh general by the Bears in 2021. However after a 10-28 file and an uneven three years in Chicago through which he threw for six,674 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions, Fields was traded to the Steelers final offseason to be Wilson’s backup.
After Wilson’s calf damage in coaching camp final summer time, Fields started final season because the Steelers’ beginning quarterback. He registered a 4-2 file, however Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin benched Fields in favor of Wilson after he was wholesome, a transfer that reportedly divided the locker room.
The Steelers made the playoffs with a 10-7 file, however their offense struggled throughout a five-game shedding streak to finish the season. Fields says his benching didn’t issue into his resolution to signal with the Jets.
“In this league, I kind of have the mindset that you can’t take things personal,” Fields stated. “That’s what I’ve discovered through the years, to not take something private.
“At the end of the day, I was just excited about what the Jets had going on here with A.G. [Aaron Glenn], the coaching staff, and everything like that. It really didn’t have anything to do with Pittsburgh, but just the opportunity I had here to make an impact and get things going.”
The Jets wanted a quarterback after they launched Aaron Rodgers final month after two seasons. Through the NFL Annual Conferences final week in Palm Seashore, Glenn stated the Jets teaching workers plans to let Fields be a quarterback, not simply an athlete who performs the place.
“I do think he brings the dimension to this game that a lot of people are trying to create around this league that we can take advantage of,” Glenn stated about Fields. “I wish to try to make the most of that as a lot as doable.
“We are going to let him play quarterback. That’s always what he wanted to do. I’m not saying he hasn’t had a chance to play that or do that in other places, but I know what I want to do with that player. Obviously, I want to utilize his legs, but also, I want to give him a chance to go out there and play quarterback.”
Passing wasn’t Fields’ robust space throughout his three years beginning for the Bears (2021-23). He accomplished simply 60.3% of his passes and struggled with turnovers.
Nonetheless, Fields’ passing improved throughout his small pattern measurement with the Steelers. He registered a career-high completion share of 65.8% in 10 video games (six begins).
Fields is healthier recognized for his operating potential after recording 2,509 yards and 19 touchdowns on the bottom in 4 seasons. With the Bears in 2022, Fields completed with 1,143 speeding yards (second most all-time by a QB) and eight touchdowns.
“I did what I was asked to do and I’ve never had a problem with that,” Fields stated. “I’ve all the time been a workforce participant. I’ve all the time been advocating on placing myself behind the workforce.
“I’m not going to get too much in-depth on what was happening in Chicago and what happened last year with Pittsburgh. But I’m grateful for all the experiences that I’ve had. I’ve met a lot of great people and built a lot of great relationships that will last a lifetime. 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.”
Having acquainted faculty buddies is rarely dangerous for a quarterback, and Fields may have that with the Jets. Garrett Wilson, who performed with Fields for 2 seasons at Ohio State, is the workforce’s No. 1 extensive receiver. Tight finish Jeremy Ruckert and heart Josh Myers, who additionally performed with Fields at Ohio State, are additionally on the Jets roster.
“We played together in college and when I saw him, it was really like the old days,” Fields stated about Wilson. “I don’t suppose our relationship skipped a beat. I’m undoubtedly excited to play with him, guys like Ruck [Ruckert] and Josh Myers.
“I’m excited for that and of course, things that we can do to help get each other better and get back on the same page as we were in college. I’m definitely excited to be back on the field with him for sure.”
