Is the third time the charm for New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields?
We’ve seen plenty of current journeyman quarterbacks bounce around the NFL before finding a suitable destination.
Baker Mayfield didn’t reach the Pro Bowl until he played for his fourth franchise, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ironically, two former Jets castaways have, too, revitalized their NFL lives.
There’s some evidence the same success story can occur with Fields.
“Everybody’s journey is different. Nobody’s journey is the same. Those guys it happened for them on their third our fourth team. Of course, I’m definitely hoping for it to happen here in New York,” Fields said to the media during his first press conference since signing with the Jets. “Those guys kept their head down. They didn’t let too many things in the outside world shake them and they flourished of course.”
Sam Darnold, on his fourth club since leaving New York, resuscitated his career with the Minnesota Vikings and earned a contract worth over $100 million with the Seattle Seahawks. Geno Smith revived his career at his fourth stop, the Seattle Seahawks, and is now reunited with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas.
After a rocky three-year stint in Chicago that included a 10-28 record as a starter and no playoff appearances, Fields showed signs of improvement in his lone season in Pittsburgh last year, albeit in a limited sample size. In 10 games, which included six starts, he produced career-bests in completion percentage (65.8) and passer rating (93.3). He was 4-2 as the Steelers starting quarterback before he was benched in favor of Russell Wilson.
Of course, the Jets have notoriously had bad luck at the quarterback position. The Jets haven’t had a QB earn a Pro Bowl nod since Brett Favre in 2008. New York’s started six different quarterbacks since 2022, in a quarterback merry-go-round that was highlighted by the failed Aaron Rodgers experiment. Poor quarterback productions contributed heavily to the team’s NFL-high 14 seasons without a playoff appearance.
However, aside from Fields’ marked progression in 2024, there are two other reasons to be cautiously optimistic this time around.
Fields already possesses a rapport with wide receiver Garrett Wilson from their two years together at Ohio State.
“When I saw him, it’s really just like the old days,” Fields said of Wilson. “I don’t think our relationship skipped a beat. Of course, I’m definitely excited to play with him.”
Maybe most importantly, there’s affirmation that new Jets general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn chose Fields to be their quarterback after the Bears gave up on him and his Steelers demotion.
It’s a similar type of averment Mayfield, Darnold and Smith received following multiple stops.
“My confidence never left me. I feel like when your confidence leaves you, you have zero chance. You can take however many losses in life and this game, but you can never lose your confidence,” Fields said. “You can never lose your will to work and get things done. No matter how many losses and stuff like that, I’m never gonna lose my confidence in life or in this game.
‘I’m excited to be here and get to work.”
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.