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Wealthy Cimini
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Regardless of an uneven begin to his profession, New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields believes he is on the cusp of a breakout season. The way in which he sees it, it is the best staff, the best time and the best scheme.
“I believe I will be nice,” Fields mentioned Thursday after the Jets’ fifth OTA follow. “That is been the aim for me my complete life, my complete profession. I believe the sky is the restrict for this staff, for this offense, however we do have a protracted option to go.”
Fields, who signed a two-year, $40 million contract in March, is on his third staff, taking part in for his fourth offensive coordinator in 5 years. His new playcaller is first-year coordinator Tanner Engstrand, most lately the Detroit Lions‘ passing-game coordinator. The Jets’ new scheme could have a Detroit taste, so Fields is spending a number of time — with the coaches and on his personal — finding out Lions tape.
“He is clearly a bodily proficient participant,” Engstrand mentioned, chatting with the native media for the primary time. “Everyone talks in regards to the working — properly, the man’s received an arm, too, and he does a terrific job with that.
“Mentally, he is phenomenal. He is been completely phenomenal to this point, and we anticipate extra out of that. There’s simply a number of issues that you are able to do with that sort of participant that is going to place stress on a protection and make that defensive coordinator keep up late at night time as we get going into this factor.”
First-year coach Aaron Glenn mentioned the aim is to make Fields a whole quarterback, not only a quarterback identified for his working capability. He believes Fields, 26, the Chicago Bears‘ first-round choose in 2021, has untapped potential as a passer.
Fields’ profession numbers aren’t that spectacular, however he has improved over his final 12 begins — six final 12 months with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the ultimate six video games with the Bears in 2023. In these 12 begins, he produced an 8-4 report, with 17 passing/dashing touchdowns and solely seven turnovers. Earlier than that, he was 6-26, with 46 and 35, respectively.
The Jets, who acquired Fields to switch Aaron Rodgers, anticipate his profession trajectory to proceed.
“You simply see among the issues which are beginning to develop in his recreation, and then you definately take a look at that and also you go, ‘That is fairly good. We will do some issues with that,'” Engstrand mentioned.
Fields has impressed his new coaches and teammates along with his quiet management. His confidence is “unshakable,” based on Glenn, who tapped Fields to guide the group within the post-Rodgers period. They’ve made it clear that Fields, 26, is the undisputed starter.
“Our offense and protection are new, so guys are actually tuned in and locked in and attempting to get all the things down,” Fields mentioned. “However I believe as soon as we do, I believe the sky is the restrict. I imply, we have now all the fellows we’d like, we have now all of the expertise, so it is actually simply going to come back all the way down to self-discipline and execution.”
Fields will debut Sept. 7 in opposition to the Steelers, the staff that traded for him final 12 months, then benched him in favor of Russell Wilson after a 4-2 begin. Fields supplied no perception on the matchup.
“That is who we play Week 1,” he mentioned. “It wasn’t actually a thought to that.”
Any additional emotion?
“No.”
