People are split on whether the NY Jets can be the team to get the most out of Justin Fields in 2025.
On the one hand, expectations have lowered for the franchise with a new regime in tow, so Fields will have less pressure on him than he previously did as a former first-round pick.
The fact that he’s on his third team in as many years, though, shows that the former Ohio State product is running out of time to show he belongs at the NFL level as a starting quarterback.
The good news, though, is that one former signal-caller believes there is still greatness inside Fields.
Jim Miller defends Justin Fields
Speaking on “The Official Jets Podcast,” former Bears quarterback Jim Miller made it clear that while Fields hasn’t done enough to warrant being a franchise quarterback, there’s still reason to be optimistic for the Jets.
“People don’t realize he does have a strong arm,” Miller said. “I think he’s very accurate down the field, but he just needs more polish as a passer. And I think if he was broken in the right way, because I personally work for the Bears [as a postgame studio analyst], I don’t think they broke them in properly. I really don’t. There were some steps that were missed in his development, but I think he’s found his footing.
“And I think Justin understands, too. He’s got to do a lot of it on his own, too. He’s been kind of somewhat scarred from that, and he was more assertive as a Pittsburgh Steeler.”
Fields’ resume
Fields has gone 12-20 as a starting quarterback, including a 4-2 record last season while leading Pittsburgh to begin the year. His completion percentage has increased each year he has been in the league.
The main issue with Fields, though, is that he hasn’t been able to step up when teams have needed him most.
He has completed just 56.1% of his passes in the fourth quarter throughout his career, the worst in the NFL among quarterbacks with at least 200 fourth-quarter pass attempts over that span. That won’t be something that anyone can ignore.
Including the now, radio host in Miller.
The SiriusXM analyst was a former starter in Chicago. He understands the pressure that comes with needing to produce early and often in his career. While Fields hasn’t been able to do that yet, the NY Jets are confident they can be the team to bring out that greatness in him.
