Justin Fields’ performance draws brilliant quote from Aaron Glenn

Training camp has been something of a roller coaster for New York Jets starting quarterback Justin Fields.

While he has certainly shown examples of competency throughout practice, the former first-round pick from the Chicago Bears has also had his fair share of struggles.

The first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers was expected to be a good indicator of whether the Jets should be worried about their starting quarterback.

After leading a crisp touchdown drive in a 30-10 win, those concerns have been quieted… at least for now.

Fields’ performance drew a glowing review from Jets head coach Aaron Glenn, but the first-year head coach knows there is still plenty of room for the 26-year-old quarterback to improve.

“We’re going to continue to work our ass off until we get there”

To say Fields’ performance was a resounding success would be an understatement. New York’s starting quarterback completed three of four passes for 42 yards, while also scoring on a 13-yard touchdown run.

The former Bear and Steeler played just one series, but scored on his lone drive, while guiding New York into the end zone with a methodical approach. It was the kind of drive that franchise quarterbacks lead.

While it may be premature to call Fields New York’s long-term answer, his performance pleased Glenn and the rest of the Jets staff.

“We love where he’s at right now,” Glenn said. “Does he have a way to go? Absolutely he does. Is he going to continue to work? Absolutely he will, because that’s just who he is.

“We know exactly where he’s at, we know exactly where he’s going, and we’re going to continue to work our ass off until we get there.”

Last season, the Packers were a top-five defense in several categories. For Fields to be able to lead New York’s offense on a cruising drive against Green Bay’s first-team defense showed the kind of quarterback he can be.

Arguably, the best part of Fields’ game was his patience in the pocket. He meticulously went through his reads and made sound decisions.

He may have only thrown four passes, but they were all part of the plan for the offense.

That’s all the Jets’ coaches could ask for.

“He’s going to get criticized for every little thing, and the good thing about him is he is so mature, and we talk about this on a consistent basis – he doesn’t care,” Glenn said. “The only thing that we care about is how is he operating and is he getting better, and we see that in house.”

Context is always important when it comes to the preseason. There have been many quarterbacks who excel during exhibition games, but struggle mightily when the regular season starts.

Fields’ dominant performance on Saturday does not guarantee that he is the savior for the franchise. It doesn’t even guarantee that he’ll be able to be a good starting player during the regular season.

What Saturday does show, though, is that the star quarterback from Ohio State is still in there. Potential exists within Fields and this offense. To dominate a playoff team like Green Bay is no easy feat – even in the preseason.

Yet, Fields and the New York offense did just that.

And that will do for now.