Each day New York Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields takes the field, he has an opportunity to prove to the NFL world that the organization made the right call by signing him to be their face of the franchise in 2025.

Fields’s conduct off the field has always been strong. However, the former first-round pick’s on-field performance is another thing entirely.

Since being drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2021, Fields has been one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL. While his completion percentage has improved each year he’s been in the league, he still has the worst fourth-quarter completion percentage among all signal-callers over the last four years. He simply hasn’t been good enough.

It’s the reason why he is on his third team in as many years.

Through his first week of training camp with the Jets, though, Fields has seemingly turned the corner.

Especially when it comes to one key part of his game.

Justin Fields Returns to Jets Camp

Through his four-year NFL journey, Fields has always been known to struggle with reading defenses. If his first read isn’t there, he’s been known to use his legs to make plays happen.

That has gotten him into trouble, and is one of the biggest reasons why he isn’t in Chicago anymore.

Fields hasn’t been perfect since practicing with the Jets. He’s learning a new system with new teammates. A toe injury suffered during the week has also kept him out of team drills for the last few days.

Fields made his return to individual drills and seven-on-seven work during Saturday’s practice. In that drill, he put forth the kind of performance that can make an upstart organization like New York believe they made the right decision within bringing him in.

New York’s starting quarterback did not record an incomplete pass during the drill and even threw a deep touchdown to Tyler Johnson over the middle of the field. Fields found Garrett Wilson, Mason Taylor, and Josh Reynolds as part of the session as well.

It was the kind of performance franchise quarterbacks are used to making. And it’s why head coach Aaron Glenn was pleased with his development.

“I thought he did a good job in the seven-on-seven, and the thing is he has a ways to go until we get him out there, and we’re going to make sure we keep the process going, the protocol going to make sure he’s ready,” Glenn said.

Fields’ success in seven-on-seven work Saturday can mean two things.

1. It could mean that the starting quarterback is finally beginning to understand how to read defenses and pull the trigger quickly. Should this happen, the Jets will be a lot better than people realize.

2. Fields should succeed at seven-on-seven because it doesn’t highlight other issues in his game, like holding the ball too long, and keeping a strong pocket. The 26-year-old has looked far better in seven-on-seven as opposed to team scrimmages. That could mean he hasn’t really improved in the areas he needs to the most.

We won’t know which is the truth at this point. We’ll only know when Fields returns to the practice field without any limitations, and during games throughout the regular season.

Regardless, Fields took an important first step to proving he belongs as New York’s starting quarterback on Saturday. Time will tell if he can build off it.