After an offseason filled with change, the New York Jets kicked off their 2025 season with a close 34-32 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, a game that provided a handful of silver linings for New York.
The most pivotal of them all? The performance from quarterback Justin Fields.
The former first-rounder put together one of his sharpest outings since entering the league, completing 16 of 22 pass attempts (72.2%) for 218 yards and a touchdown. He added two rushing touchdowns and 48 yards on the ground across 12 carries, keeping the offense on schedule while taking just one sack and committing no turnovers.
Behind his effort, New York managed to produce points on six of its 10 drives against Fields’ former team.
Fields also stood out in efficiency metrics. His 65.2% passing success rate led all quarterbacks in Week 1, and his 9.22 net yards per attempt trailed only Lamar Jackson’s 9.24.
Despite the loss, Fields’ flashes on Sunday have renewed excitement among the fanbase, which leads us to the following question: Is his success sustainable?
It all hinges on health.
Starting all 17 games would be an excellent milestone for Fields, but the greater concern is the health of his offensive line and top playmakers, notably Garrett Wilson.
Fields’ strong Week 1 performance stemmed largely from solid protection. The Jets surrendered only one sack against one of the league’s most imposing defensive fronts, allowing the former Ohio State star to stay composed in the pocket and work through progressions.
Their depth, however, is already being tested. Alijah Vera-Tucker’s season ended before it began with a torn triceps suffered in practice, forcing lineup changes up front. Josh Myers impressed in his Jets debut at center, while Joe Tippmann handled Vera-Tucker’s vacated guard spot without issue. However, the unit is one injury away from thrusting Xavier Newman or Max Mitchell into starting roles.
The same durability concerns apply to the receiving corps. While it would be irrational to give up assets for another wideout at this point, losing Wilson would leave the offense thin at the position. On Sunday, Wilson accounted for 96 of Fields’ 218 passing yards and caught his only touchdown pass, showing just how indispensable he is to the attack.
Fields continues to show steady growth as a passer, and on Sunday, he delivered the type of efficient performance the Jets need to win. The defense, however, failed to match his effort, leading to a narrow loss.
The former Chicago Bear avoided turnovers, a notable step forward for a quarterback who has struggled with ball security. From 2021 to 2023, Fields ranked last among 41 qualified quarterbacks with 38 fumbles and placed 40th with a 3.1% interception rate.
Play-calling from first-year offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand also played a role. Engstrand leaned on Fields’ mobility with designed runs but also trusted him in the pocket, where his progress was evident.
New York doesn’t require Fields to be Superman and carry the entire offense. They need him to manage games, limit mistakes, stay upright, and use his legs to extend plays, an approach he executed effectively in Week 1. The Jets’ ground game did much of the heavy lifting, piling up 182 rushing yards against Pittsburgh.
Sunday felt like a great starting point for Fields in New York. If his protection and weapons hold up, he could be the quarterback Gang Green has long been waiting for.
