Reporting from the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, NJ
It was the kind of practice the New York Jets had been waiting for.
For most of Justin Fields’ NFL career, the former Ohio State star had struggled to find consistency throwing the football. Previous stops with the Chicago Bears as a first-round pick and the Pittsburgh Steelers netted limited results.
Since signing a two-year deal with the Jets during the offseason, Fields has been the unquestioned starter of the organization. He, like many fans and analysts, understands that his time in New York may be his last chance to prove he can be a quality starter.
After months of learning the new offense, Fields took to the practice field Friday morning with a fresh edge to his game.
It was something that fundamentally changed for New York operated.
After weeks of losing to their talented defense, the Jets offense dominated throughout Friday’s practice window. Even more important, the team was able to accomplish that feat through the air for the most part.
Fields was direct with his decision-making, delivered timely passes, and was accurate. He looked like the quarterback who dominated with the Buckeyes as their star signal-caller.
It was the type of practice that had the Jets’ coaching staff thrilled.
“Command, understanding exactly where the ball needs to go, and probably more than anything,” Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said. “Understanding the situation in those situational periods of making sure he gets the ball out of his hands so we can get some points.”
Friday was an important step for Fields. Throughout the practice, he threw with anticipation, deadly accuracy, and the kind of decisiveness that he had been missing throughout his career.
It was the kind of practice that showed he could be more than just the kind of stop-gap that many expect him to be going into the 2025 season. Fields shared the ball to many waiting hands outside his star receiver in Garrett Wilson.
If he’s able to mount practices like the one he put up on Friday, there’s a very good chance that New York will be significantly better than what many expect of them this season.
The big question, though, is the last part to Fields’ game that has people skeptical.
Consistency.
Fields has made jaw-dropping plays throughout his career. He just hasn’t been able to build off those special plays consistently enough to warrant credit as an average starting quarterback.
Building off Friday’s success will be the first step to proving Fields is more than what he once was.
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