Justin Fields is a New York Jet largely because the Pittsburgh Steelers moved off him to veteran Russell Wilson last season, despite getting off to a 4-2 start.
Fields signed a two-year contract with the Jets, who are betting on his untapped upside based off not only his first-round pedigree but also a strong first six games of last season with the Steelers. However, the 26-year-old admits that through this offseason and now into the preseason, head coach Mike Tomlin’s decision to bench him has served as one of his biggest motivators.
“It was, of course, different for me and a space where I wasn’t necessarily comfortable,” Fields told reporters Wednesday in Florham Park. “Coach [Mike] Tomlin made a decision he thought was best for the team, and I’m never going to go against that. I’m not a selfish guy whatsoever, so I just tried to change my perspective, get better each and every day in practice.”
Fields completed 65.8 percent of his passes for 1,106 yards with five touchdowns to one interception, playing some of the most efficient quarterback of his career before being benched in favor of Wilson.
In New York, Fields is set to collect $40 million over the past two seasons, including $30 million fully guaranteed, as the Steelers continue their search for an answer at quarterback for the 2025 season and beyond.
Even before Fields agreed to terms with the Jets, there was a strong mutual interest between the former Ohio State standout and first-round pick of the Chicago Bears and new Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. While the Jets could always take a quarterback in the first round, it sure sounds like Fields is going to channel the disappointment and frustration of how things went in Pittsburgh to prove he has the ability to be a starting quarterback in this league.
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