New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey believes Justin Fields can turn his career around and follow in the footsteps of Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield.
Jets GM Talks Justin Fields’ Potential
Two days after the deadline to finalize the 53-man roster, Mougey spoke to reporters about the Jets and their expectations for the 2025 NFL season.
One of the Jets’ biggest storylines to monitor is Fields. The former first-round pick is on his third team in three seasons.
Instead of using a high draft pick on a quarterback, the Jets elected to sign Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract this offseason.
The 26-year-old has shown flashes of potential as a franchise quarterback. Unfortunately, Fields has been wildly inconsistent, leading to the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers looking for help elsewhere at quarterback.
Will the third time be a charm for Fields? Will Fields finally reach his potential on his third team?
“I do believe Justin can be one of those guys,” Mougey said about Fields via Jets.com. “I’ve seen progress during this camp and look forward to seeing the progress throughout the season as they all come together. Obviously, it’s his third stop in three years, with three different coordinators, and a lot of moving parts, so it does take time, but I like where it’s at and I look forward to watching the progress.”
The Jets are hoping Fields can become the next Sam Darnold or Baker Mayfield, two high draft picks who made multiple stops in the NFL before finding success with another team.
The Bears selected Fields with the No. 11 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Fields started 10 games in his rookie year before becoming the full-time starter in 2022 and 2023. Fields has never passed for more than 2,600 yards and 18 touchdowns in a season.
Fields’ versatility as a runner is why teams are willing to take a chance on the athletic quarterback. Fields has rushed for 2,509 yards and 19 touchdowns in four seasons.
Fields rushed for 1,143 yards in 2022 to become the third NFL quarterback, after Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson, to exceed 1,000 yards rushing in a season.
Sacks and fumbles have been a major problem. In four seasons, Fields has been sacked 151 times and fumbled 44 times.
In 2024, Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record to open the season. However, Mike Tomlin benched Fields for Russell Wilson for the rest of the season.
Jets Will Look To Build Offense Around Fields
Introducing our 2025 team captains
🫡📰: https://t.co/LqA13xG4iK pic.twitter.com/PQv3bGX3Ms
— New York Jets (@nyjets) August 28, 2025
The Jets’ offense will be all about the ground game in 2025.
Head coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand both come from Detroit, which had an elite offensive line and two premier running backs.
The Jets have three solid runners in Fields, Breece Hall, and Braelon Allen.
If New York can run the ball, control the clock, and play excellent defense, the Jets will be in many close games this season.
