After a decade (and more, depending upon who you ask) of dysfunction in the New York Jets' front office, the team seems to be making good strides.
The hires of Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey signify culture changes in the organization, and the roster moves reflect a slow-and-steady, methodical style of roster building, opposed to the previous regimes' grab-and-go style with high-cost veterans.
The Jets' biggest offseason move was landing quarterback Justin Fields. Fields is just 26 years old and led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 4-2 record as a starter, and was just a few yards shy of a 6-0 record.
The Jets inked Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, and he is expected to be the starter under center barring a drastic change or a historically impressive camp from Jordan Travis.
It's not just Glenn and Mougey that are fans of Fields, as Jets owner Woody Johnson recently called him a "total winner.''
"I think Justin Fields is going to be a total winner for us," Johnson said. "I've been impressed with him since his college days. It was he or Trevor Lawrence, and I think he is going to be really good."
Fields spent the first three years of his career with the Chicago Bears, who drafted him with the No. 11 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Fields held a 10-28 record as a starter in Chicago with a 60.3 completion percentage, while throwing 40 touchdowns to 30 interceptions.
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Fields got a change of scenery in Pittsburgh, where due to a Russell Wilson injury he was able to start in six games. Fields threw for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns to just one interception in Pittsburgh.
One of Fields' more impressive stats, and one that gives the Jets hope, is his five rushing touchdowns in 2024. Fields can operate as a dual-threat quarterback, something the Jets haven't deployed in years.
Fields' ability to run the football truly came to light at Ohio State, where in his two seasons with the Buckeyes he ran for 867 yards and 15 touchdowns. In his sophomore season in the NFL, Fields ran for over 1,100 yards and eight touchdowns, leading the NFL with 7.1 yards per carry.
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This story was originally published April 2, 2025 at 4:07 PM.