There’s nothing more frustrating for the defensive mind than a quarterback with legs, and New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn unquestionably accepts this notion. It’s why Justin Fields is his quarterback.
Seriously, think about it …
A third-and-11 situation arises, so you, the defensive coordinator, trots nickel personnel onto the field to match the offense’s three-receiver set. It’s a two-by-two set that ultimately results in a four-vertical-esque concept.
It’s perfect.
Thanks to your quarters-esque coverage, the four-vert play is immediately shut down with over-the-top leverage on every route. The lone back releases late to the flat, where the same-side backer appropriately tracks him.
Tremendous. As DC, you just shut down everything the offense intended to accomplish. That was until the quarterback decided to go off-script.
A QB’s legs create chaos
Despite a responsible four-man pass rush, the quarterback slightly drifts forward after his hitch, only to then scamper up the C-gap. Guess what? It’s now a one-on-one situation between the quarterback and the other linebacker.
The quarterback wins because his athleticism is off the charts. He wins because he is a running back in his own right. He wins because his legs force a defensive mind to scrape everything and anything he had previously conceptualized.
Those 11 yards on third down were a breeze to snag. Sure, since it was zone and not man coverage (where their eyes would most likely not be there), the four-deep defenders could at least react quickly enough to stop him from gaining a greater chunk, but the damage has already been done—with the quarterback sliding for safety to boot.
NFC North familiarity
Though it was obvious to some, others couldn’t quite put their finger on Aaron Glenn’s potential connection with Justin Fields. The New York Jets’ decisiveness to ink Fields to a 2-year, $40 million ($30 million guaranteed) contract in free agency was a bit eye-opening to some onlookers.
Just a moment’s thought about the NFC North’s recent history puts all doubts to bed.
Fields, the Chicago Bears‘ former quarterback, squared off against Glenn, the Detroit Lions‘ former defensive coordinator, six times between 2021 and 2023. Fields went 4-2 with 1,106 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 1 interception on 65.8% passing. He also rushed for an absurd 289 yards and 5 touchdowns.
To say Fields left an impression on Glenn would be a gigantic understatement. These memories, coupled with Glenn’s understanding of where the NFL’s quarterback evolution is headed, is why Fields is the Jets quarterback.
2022, Week 10: Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
The first of these games that will receive the Jet X Film Session treatment might be Fields’s best as a pro.
In his sophomore season, 2022, the Ohio State product took on the Lions in Week 10. Interestingly enough, this was also Glenn’s second season as Detroit’s defensive coordinator.
While the 31-30 loss accounts for one of Fields’s two losses to Detroit, he absolutely brutalized Glenn’s defense. He threw for just 167 yards and 2 touchdowns—to 1 interception—but he also ran for a ridiculous 147 yards and 2 touchdowns on 13 attempts.
