Analyst outlines how Jets plan to maximize Justin Fields' potential in 2025

Before the New York Jets gave quarterback Justin Fields a two-year contract, essentially a lottery ticket, in March, first-year Jets head coach Aaron Glenn worked to stop the Fields-led offense of the Chicago Bears when he served as the defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions.

Former Lions passing game coordinator Tanner Engstrand is now Fields' offensive coordinator with the Jets. For a piece published on Wednesday, ESPN's Ben Solak noted that stats from Fields' Bears tenure (2021-23) may show how Glenn and Engstrand will try to get the most out of the 26-year-old signal-caller later this year. 

"Fields' last three games as a Bear against Glenn's defense: 12 carries for 58 yards and a touchdown; 10 carries for 132 yards; 13 carries for 147 yards and two touchdowns," Solak wrote. "...I won't be surprised if we see a 2022-like season for Fields. Back then, he posted 160 carries for 1,143 yards, the second most all-time for a quarterback."

Per StatMuse, only Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens accumulated more regular-season rushing yards (2,352) than Fields (2,220) among quarterbacks from 2021 to 2023. Of course, few have questioned Fields' talents as a runner. The Jets almost certainly will need to see him improve as a passer from summer workouts through January 2026 to keep him atop the depth chart next year. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Fields ended the 2022 season tied for 15th in the NFL among qualified players with a 56.3 adjusted QBR, 25th with an 85.2 passer rating and 32nd out of 33 signal-callers with a 36.7 percent passing success rate. In March, ESPN's Rich Cimini reported that Fields ranked 29th in the league among qualified passers in total QBR and 34th in completion percentage over expected from 2021 to 2024. 

Solak added that Fields should get plenty of help from both Engstrand and star wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Wilson was Fields' teammate at Ohio State and was recently ranked the league's 10th-best receiver by league executives, coaches and scouts surveyed by ESPN. 

That said, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Jets at +120 betting odds to notch over 6.5 wins this season as of Wednesday afternoon. Gang Green may look for an upgrade at the sport's most important position if Fields either loses more than he wins or fails to stay healthy for the bulk of the upcoming campaign.