Justin Fields eager to 'get to work' with Jets, new regime: 'My confidence never left me'

Justin Fields first entered the league during the 2021 season after getting drafted No. 11 overall by the Chicago Bears, but since then the Ohio State product hasn't had the success he was hoping for.

Now entering his fifth year and on his third team, after the Jets signed the quarterback to a two-year, $40 million deal this offseason, Fields is ready to take the next step in his development and live up to the first-round pick hype.

"My expectations for myself are higher than anybody else’s, to be honest," Fields told reporters on Wednesday. "So it’s something to prove to myself… I’m excited to get to work and get things going."

Coming out of Ohio State and having played in the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship, the expectation in Chicago was for Fields to be the savior after a long stretch of mediocrity. However, thrust into the starting role early on in his career, Fields was unable to lift the Bears over the top and went 10-28 in his first 38 starts.

After three seasons in Chicago, the 26-year-old was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. With starter Russell Wilson injured to begin the season, Fields assumed QB1 responsibilities and played well, going 4-2 and combining for 10 total TDs and just one interception.

"Of course, the more time you have in the league the more experience you have, so I think I’m progressing in getting better each and every year," he said.

In fact, Fields' numbers support that.

Between 2021 and 2024, the quarterback's completion percentage, interception percentage and passer rating have all improved. He was also on track to throw for the most passing yards in his career before Wilson replaced him in the middle of the season.

So, much like players such as Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold who didn't figure things out until their third or fourth teams, Fields and the Jets hope they can be a perfect match.

"Everybody’s journey is different. Nobody’s journey is the same," Fields said. "I’m definitely hoping for it to happen here in New York, but everybody’s not the same, everybody’s different. I think those guys kept their head down, didn’t let too many things in the outside world shake them. They kept working and they flourished."

To Fields' credit, during his time in the NFL, he's always done what was asked of him and has been a team player throughout his career. Now, he'll get another chance to be the starter with Tyrod Taylor slated to be his backup.

Despite the long road Fields has taken in his journey so far, filled with trials and tribulations, his confidence in his abilities and in general has never wavered.

"My confidence never left me," he said. "I feel like when your confidence leaves you then you have zero chance… No matter how many losses and things like that, I’m never gonna lose my confidence in life or this game."

What should help Fields remain confident in New York are the familiar faces he'll get to play with. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson, tight end Jeremy Ruckert and center Josh Myers were all teammates with Fields at Ohio State and figure to be featured heavily in the Jets' offense this season, especially Wilson.

"It’s awesome. We played together in college and when I saw him it was really just like the old days," Fields said about Wilson. "I don’t think our relationship skipped a beat so I’m definitely excited to play with him and guys like Ruck and Josh Myers.

"So I’m excited for that and of course things that we can do to make each other better and get back on the same page as we were in college."

One person Fields hasn't played with (or under) is new head coach Aaron Glenn, although their paths crossed in the NFC North where Glenn coached for the Detroit Lions.

The quarterback is looking forward to working with Glenn and the coach's "passion" for the game, and sees some similarities between both of them.

"I’ve been on good teams, I’ve been on bad teams," Fields said. "Just the mindset, the leadership. AG has been in the same situation so I think he knows how to take a bad situation and turn it into a good one."