On Tuesday, the New York Jets will open organized team activities for the first time with Justin Fields as the team’s starting quarterback.
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million deal with the Jets to be the team’s starter without a competition. While New York turned heads with that omission, there’s reason to suspect they made the correct decision.
And it’s because of the work the former first-round pick has done over the last month.
Justin Fields opens OTAs as QB1
Once Glenn opened up voluntary workouts earlier in May, the Jets have seen close to 94% participation from their roster, according to the head coach. One person they haven’t had to worry about is Fields.
It’s for good reason. As the team’s starting quarterback, Fields needs to get acclimated not only to the new faces on the roster, but also to a new playbook.
The fact that he is in attendance during the voluntary portion of the workout sessions is a key positive. During this time, he’s shown a “quiet confidence,” per Glenn, that allows New York to get even more excited about their quarterback.
“He’s doing everything he can to improve, and whatever advantage he can get from coaching, strength and conditioning, being on the field, he’s going to get that,” Glenn said. “He’s going to take that advantage, and he’s going to run with it. So I’m very happy with where he’s at.”
For a Jets fanbase that has begged for a quality quarterback of their own, Fields isn’t the kind of signal-caller many wanted. He might just be the quarterback they need, though.
He’s coming off career-bests in completion percentage (65.8%), passer rating (95.3), and interception rate (0.6%), and remains a threat on the ground. With an offensive system that is predicated on speed and pre-snap movement, Fields is joining an offense that is tailor-made for him.
It also helps that the Jets have surrounded him with players he trusts. Jeremy Ruckert and Garrett Wilson are two receiving options who previously played with Fields during their college days at Ohio State.
Ruckert, in particular, knows how good the Jets quarterback can be.
“I think a really good trait about him is that he doesn’t listen to anything outside,” Ruckert told Rich Cimini at ESPN. “I think he’s very internally driven and always wants to be the best for all the right reasons.
“I think he’s a perfect fit for New York and the atmosphere that you get put in. He’s going to work every day and showcase that attitude. He’s going to give it everything he’s got and play the position a different way than a lot of people do it.”
The Jets are desperate for a quarterback. Fields is desperate to prove his worth as a former first-round pick.
The two sides clearly need each other. Getting on the field for OTAs this week, they will continue building toward something fans can be proud of.
