The New York Jets broke for the summer ahead of training camp.
Before players started going on vacation, starting quarterback Justin Fields fired off a four-word message on social media: “New threads. Same hustle.”
Fields put that caption on Instagram along with six action shots of him in his new No. 7 Jets jersey throughout OTAs, mandatory minicamp, and media day.
Fields Is Built for the NY Spotlight
To Fields’ credit, he has been the same person.
Despite the $40 million new contract and being crowned QB1 by the Jets’ brass, Fields has had the same attitude the entire time.
“A quiet confidence,” as Jets head coach Aaron Glenn likes to call it.
Fields’ career hasn’t gone according to plan. He was the No. 11 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. He was supposed to be the franchise quarterback there for a decade, but it didn’t work out.
Last season, he got a chance for a career renaissance with the Pittsburgh Steelers. After a six-game start to the season that featured a 4-2 record and some improvements as a passer, Fields got thrown to the bench.
Year No. 5 in the NFL presents a golden opportunity for the former Ohio State product. He has a coaching staff that believes in him, a talented crop of playmakers around him, a stout offensive line, and a chance to prove he can be a team’s franchise quarterback.
Jets Starting QB Has Made a Strong Impression on Coaching Staff
On March 13, the Jets officially announced the signing of Fields in free agency. 17 days later, general manager Darren Mougey officially crowned Fields as the QB1 of the Jets.
“We believe Justin is the starter,” Mougey told reporters at the annual league meeting via ESPN’s Rich Cimini. “We believe in Justin, we believe we can win with Justin, so we’re excited about Justin.”
Fields has rewarded that faith through the past couple of months during the offseason.
“The biggest takeaway I would say is that this guy is just a workaholic, you know? He comes in early, he is here late, and he is trying to digest verything and download the information, and do things the right way,” Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said. “He has really put the next foot forward every day. Trying to stack days, and it has been really good.”
Fields by nature is a quiet person. He typically lets his play on the field do the talking. That is all well and good, but when you’re a starting quarterback in the NFL, teammates often look to you for guidance and direction.
“Just kind of a quiet confidence about him, you know, a little lead by example, but if you could be in the huddle, there is some command there. When he is talking, the guys are listening. I think that is the best part about it. He doesn’t have to be overly vocal or outlandish or over the top with his communication with guys, just lead by example, and when something needs to be said, he will say it, and they will listen,” Engstrand explained.
