His Quiet Expectations for Himself Remain High and He’s Eager to ‘Get to Work and Get Things Going’
Justin Fields may have faced a rocky start in his NFL career, losing 28 games as Chicago’s starting quarterback over his first three seasons. Last year, he lost the starting role to Russell Wilson after six games in Pittsburgh. But one thing Fields has never lost is his quiet confidence.
“My confidence never left me,” Fields said during a conference call with Jets beat reporters Wednesday, after his third session with his new teammates at the opening of the team’s strength and conditioning program. “I feel like when your confidence leaves you, then you have zero chance… You can never lose your confidence, never lose your will to work and get things done. So no matter how many losses I’ve had, I’m never going to lose my confidence in life or in this game.”
Despite a difficult 2025 campaign for the Jets, which saw the departure of QB Aaron Rodgers and several others, there’s intrigue surrounding Fields’ skillset and mindset. His businesslike approach aligns well with new head coach Aaron Glenn’s offseason mantra: “We have a lot of time for scheme, a lot of time to talk about Super Bowl and playoffs, but right now, building a culture and building an environment in that building is the most important thing for me.”
“Of course, I’ve been on good teams and I’ve been on bad teams,” Fields said, reflecting on his journey. He noted that Glenn, whom he faced as a coach with the Detroit Lions from 2021-2023, is familiar with both sides of the equation. “AG has been in the same situation, where Detroit didn’t start off hot. He knows how to take a bad situation and turn it into a good one. I’ve been on teams that were 3-14, and last year, with Pittsburgh, we made it to the playoffs.”
Fields believes his experiences have given him insight into what it takes to build a successful team. “I’ve seen both sides of it and can tell the difference between the characteristics of a team that’s struggling and one that’s thriving,” he said. “We’re just trying to implement those good characteristics and find the recipe of what makes us a playoff team.”
The Jets are already well-positioned to support Fields’ success. Two of his former Ohio State teammates, WR Garrett Wilson and TE Jeremy Ruckert, are already with the team, and C Josh Myers, who joined the Buckeyes after Fields left for the Bears, was a four-year starter for the program.
“It’s awesome,” Fields said of the reunion with Wilson. “When I saw him, it was really just like the old days. Our relationship hasn’t skipped a beat. I’m excited to play with him and guys like Ruck and Josh, and for what we can do together to help each other get better and get back on the same page.”
Despite his calm demeanor, Fields knows the pressure is on to make a strong impact. He’s one of the NFL’s most dynamic running quarterbacks, and his passing game has steadily improved since he was drafted by the Bears as the 11th overall pick in 2021. Now, in his fifth NFL season with his third team, he’s eager to prove himself in a new system under Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
“It’s definitely something that I want to prove to myself,” Fields said. “My expectations for myself are higher than anybody else’s, to be honest with you. I’ve been improving each year, and I plan to do the same this year.”
When asked about specific expectations, Fields was tight-lipped, preferring to keep them to himself. “I know what I can do on the field. I’ve been playing this game for a long time, and I know what I’m capable of,” he said. “I’m just ready to get to work and get things going.”
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