Jets followers have been understandably livid this offseason after their crew completed 5-12 final season.
Irrespective of the crew’s strikes, followers have had an adversarial response.
Gang Inexperienced agreed to a two-year take care of the Eleventh-overall decide from the 2021 NFL Draft for $40 million with $30 million assured. By way of quarterback cash lately, that received’t break the Jets’ financial institution, and the deal is a low-risk and presumably high-reward.
After releasing Aaron Rodgers final month, the Jets didn’t have many quarterback choices in free company. No Joe Burrow, Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson was obtainable in free company this 12 months. There was additionally no likelihood that Sam Darnold, who agreed to phrases with the Seahawks, would return to the crew that drafted him in 2018.
Many Jets followers wished Rodgers for one more season. However madness is doing the identical factor time and again and anticipating a unique end result. After the final two seasons, it was clear the Rodgers expertise wasn’t working, so Glenn and Mougey determined to half methods with the four-time NFL MVP.
Fields, 26, will not be the passer Rodgers is, however he brings a component to the Jets offense they desperately want. In contrast to the now one-dimensional Rodgers, Fields can escape stress within the pocket throughout passing conditions. He can also use his legs to create explosive performs on the bottom.
In 4 seasons, Fields has rushed for two,509 yards and 19 touchdowns. Due to his potential to scramble out and in of the pocket, Fields will help a Jets offense that struggled to run the ball final season after ending thirty first (91.8 yards per sport) in speeding.
With Fields now beneath middle, Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand can lean extra on the crew’s speeding assault with working backs Breece Corridor, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, very like the Lions did when Engstrand was their passing sport coordinator.
Glenn is attempting to construct a tradition with the Jets and that begins with toughness.
A season in the past, Detroit was sixth in speeding yards per sport (146.4).
“Was a huge part of that Detroit Lions offense,” Glenn stated about Engstrand ultimately month’s mix. “I know Ben Johnson got all the credit, but there’s a number of people that was around him, including [Jets offensive line coach] Steve Heiden, who I also have on the staff.
“He’s going to do a really good job for us. He was the passing game coordinator there, and it’s time for him to be a coordinator.”
Talking of the passing sport, Fields has improved in that space. As a rookie with the Chicago Bears, he accomplished simply 58.9% of his passes in 12 video games. After he was traded from the Bears to the Pittsburgh Steelers final offseason, Fields, in restricted work, improved his completion proportion immensely. He accomplished a career-high 65.8% of his passes in 10 video games (six begins) in Pittsburgh.
Fields wasn’t surrounded by the most effective expertise in Chicago, with subpar weapons and an offensive line that had him on curler skates consistently. Then, when the Bears didn’t have the crew success they anticipated, they shipped Fields out after buying the No. 1 decide final 12 months and later choosing Caleb Williams. The Steelers additionally didn’t have the most effective supporting solid round Fields, and so they benched him for Russell Wilson as quickly because the veteran was 100% after struggling a preseason calf harm.
Fields may doubtlessly be the Jets’ long-term answer at quarterback. He will likely be reunited with Garrett Wilson, whom he performed two seasons with at Ohio State. After being visibly annoyed by the pressured Rodgers/Davante Adams connection final season, Wilson ought to have higher chemistry with Fields.
In recent times, the Jets have additionally rebuilt their offensive line, which was a strong unit in 2024. That ought to give Fields an opportunity to have a well-rounded passing sport and a speeding assault, offering stability.
Not solely did the Jets get Fields at an incredible worth, however they will transfer on from him subsequent 12 months if he struggles. If Gang Inexperienced releases Fields with a June 1 designation subsequent offseason, they’d acquire $10 million in wage cap house, based on Over the Cap.
I get it Jets followers, it has been 14 seasons since they final made the playoffs. Sure, you by no means achieved the Tremendous Bowl desires with Rodgers at quarterback. However there’s nothing improper with being optimistic concerning the Fields period with the Jets.
The Jets are rolling the cube on Fields and his proficient talent set. Certain, Fields has quite a bit to work on, together with turning into a constant passer. But when the Fields reclamation undertaking works the identical means Darnold, Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith have, the Jets’ offense could possibly be higher than many anticipate in 2025.
Initially Revealed: March 11, 2025 at 10:01 AM EDT
