Ever since free agent quarterback Justin Fields signed on the dotted line with the Jets, head coach Aaron Glenn has trumpeted his guy's ability to remain unfazed, repel any outside noise and stay focused.
That continued to be the case during Tuesday's joint practice with the Giants at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center, the first of two days facing the Green & White's co-tenant at MetLife Stadium ahead of Saturday's annual preseason meeting between the teams. The Giants' defense, particularly the talented and hard-charging line, was a challenge for the Jets' offense, but Fields & Co. came on strong late, improvising and completing a pass with a sidearm throw.
"I keep telling you guys [reporters] the same thing every day about who he is," Glenn said. "He's a mature man and the outside noise does not bother him. And I don't know how many times I've got to say this, but that's not going to change with him. He's going to continue to get better and better and better, and not allow anything on the outside to bother him, and just do his job and keep improving. Man, those are really, some of the traits that I liked about him, that he's just unfazed, and he's always here."
As he said those last words, Glenn raised his hand to indicate a guy on an even keel.
"So it did surprise me that he did it?" Glenn said. "That's just who he is. So I expect it from him all the time."
After improvising and running for a TD on the Jets' opening drive last Saturday at Green Bay in the preseason opener, Fields calmly and clearly talked about a profound change in his approach. One that he attributed to a religious awakening about six months ago.
"A lot has gone into that," Fields said about how he's remained stoic through his time in Chicago, Pittsburgh and now with the Jets. "I would say experiences, for sure. But also, I think about my relationship with God. I don't play for anybody's approval. You guys [reporters] are all going to have your opinions, and I'm never going to take any of it personal. It doesn't matter."
He added: "It doesn't really affect life. It doesn't affect the way we live. So if you look at it from that perspective, the bigger perspective, it has zero meaning to me, to anybody. And, you know, God controls everything that happens in this world. So I just let people be and let them speak. And as I said, that's not going to affect me whatsoever."