New York Jets must allow Justin Fields to be himself in 2025

When Justin Fields walks into MetLife Stadium in his debut with the New York Jets, he will enter what could be his last chance to be a starting quarterback in the NFL.

Fields has struggled to prove his worthiness as a former first-round pick for four years. Stints with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers only enhanced what fans have come to expect from him: a good scrambler, but not the kind of pocket passer needed to win on Sunday.

However, New Jets head coach Aaron Glenn didn’t care about what happened during his previous stops. He believes he has the leader and quarterback needed to win on Sunday.

While fans may be skeptical, there’s a reason why Fields can be successful in New York. It starts with lowering what should be expected out of the veteran signal-caller.

Jets must make a clear distinction at QB

Friday’s showdown between the Los Angeles Chargers and Kansas City Chiefs featured two of the best quarterbacks in the game: Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes.

The two Pro Bowl signal-callers combined for over 500 yards passing with some unbelievable plays thrown in the mix. New York won’t be expected to get the same kind of production out of Fields, but comparing its starter to stars like Mahomes and Herbert won’t get them anywhere.

Fields won’t be the kind of quarterback who can elevate the rest of the roster like some elite players at his position.

That isn’t his game, though.

In the modern NFL, athletic quarterbacks can be just as dependable as some of the top pocket passers in the game. Players like Jalen Hurts, Russell Wilson, or other scramblers may not have the type of arm strength as a Herbert or the touch of a Mahomes, but they find ways to have successful, championship-filled careers.

That also means Fields must improve. Over the course of his career, he has recorded one of the worst completion percentages in the league, especially in the second half of games.

Fields will never be the quarterback Herbert and Mahomes are. He doesn’t have to be, though.

So long as he can be the best version of himself, the kind of quarterback who runs effectively, and can make the right reads each time, Fields will find himself staying as New York’s starting quarterback.