New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is embarking on his first season as the Jets’ starter. Despite being in a new location, he brings considerable starting experience, having led the Chicago Bears for multiple seasons. Last year, he also stepped in as the starter for the Steelers after Russell Wilson’s calf injury late in camp, guiding Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record before being replaced by Wilson once he was medically cleared by head coach Mike Tomlin.
On Wednesday, Fields shared insights about his experience in Pittsburgh, saying, “I’m a big believer in: Everything happens for a reason,” as quoted by The Athletic. He reflected on being in an unfamiliar role as a backup, emphasizing, “I tried to have a different perspective on it. Russ has been in the league for a long time. I learned a lot of great things from him and got to learn a different perspective of things. It was different for me in a space where I wasn’t really comfortable. But at the end of the day, coach 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. So I just tried to change my perspective, get better each and every day in practice.”
Additionally, Fields clarified that being benched did not influence his decision to join the Jets. “In this league, I have the mindset that you can’t take things personally,” he said. “I was just excited for what the Jets have going on here with (Aaron Glenn) and with the coaching staff and everything like that. It didn’t have anything to do with Pittsburgh but the opportunity I had here to make an impact and get things going.”
Hopefully, Fields can prove that he is a top-tier starter in the league during his time with the Jets.
