<!–>
Justin Fields went from playmaking starting quarterback to uncomfortable sideline observer.
Rather than pout, Fields insisted on drawing on the positives during his one-year stint in Pittsburgh last season and use them to fuel him on the next step of what has been an up-and-down NFL journey.
“Yeah, I’m a big believer in everything happens for a reason,” Fields said during a video call Wednesday while speaking with reporters for the first time since signing with the New York Jets last month.
Fields was the No. 11 overall pick by Chicago in the 2021 draft, when the Jets took Zach Wilson at No. 2. After three seasons, the Bears moved on and traded him to the Steelers last offseason. With Russell Wilson dealing with a calf injury, Fields opened the season as Pittsburgh’s starter and had five touchdown passes and five TD runs with just one interception while leading the Steelers to a 4-2 start.
ADVERTISEMENT
–>
But with Wilson healthy again, coach Mike Tomlin turned to the veteran. And Fields was sent to the bench.
“I was put in a place where I wasn’t, really, never in a place in my entire life,” Fields said. “So I think I tried to have a different perspective on it. Of course, Russ has been in the league for a long time, so I learned a lot of great things from him and got to learn a different perspective of things. … So it was, of course, different for me in a space where I wasn’t necessarily comfortable.
“But at the end of the day, Coach Tomlin, he made a decision where he thought was best for the team. And like I’ve said, I’m never going to go against that, of course. I’m not a selfish guy whatsoever. So, I just tried to change my perspective, get better each and every day in practice.”
The Jets moved on from Aaron Rodgers in March, releasing the four-time MVP after two disappointing seasons. They signed the 26-year-old Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract to replace Rodgers, and he’s expected to be the starting quarterback ahead of veteran Tyrod Taylor.
Did the Jets make a smart move signing Justin Fields to two-year, $40 million deal?
Meanwhile, Russell Wilson also left the Steelers, signing with the Giants last month. But for Fields, the opportunity with the Jets is a chance to get back to being the player he believes he can be.
“Definitely something that I want to prove to myself and I think, you know, my expectations for myself are higher than anybody else’s, to be honest with you,” Fields said. “So, something to prove for myself and I think I’ve been improving each year I’ve been in the league, so I look to do the same this year. But like I said, I think my expectations for myself are higher than you guys’, it’s higher than all the other people in this building. I’m excited to get to work and get things going.”
New coach Aaron Glenn said during the NFL meetings last month that the Jets are going to let Fields “play quarterback” in coordinator Tanner Engstrand’s offense.
“That’s what he’s always wanted to do,” Glenn said. “I’m not saying he hasn’t had a chance to play that and do that in other places. That’s not my issue. I know what I want to do with that player. Obviously want to utilize his legs, but want to give him a chance to go out there and play quarterback.”
Fields has thrown 45 touchdown passes and 31 interceptions in his NFL career, and has 19 rushing scores — giving New York a true dual threat quarterback.
“I did what I was asked to do,” Fields said, “and I’ve never had a problem with that.”
Also with the Jets, Fields is reunited with a few of his former Ohio State teammates, including wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who set career highs with 101 catches for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns.
“When I saw him, it was really just like the old days,” Fields said. “So, I don’t think our relationship skipped a beat.”
That’s a good sign for the Jets.
And for Fields, who refused to get down on himself during his first four NFL seasons — when things didn’t go exactly how he hoped.
“To be honest with you, my confidence never left me,” Fields said. “I feel like when your confidence leaves you, then you have zero chance. You can take however many losses in life, in this game, but you can never lose your confidence. You can never lose your will to work and get things done.
“So no matter how many losses and stuff like that, I’m never going to lose my confidence, in life or in this game.”
Reporting by The Associated Press.
Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
Justin Fields
<!–>
recommended
Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
–>
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Celtics close out Magic in Game 5 with blowout win, advance to second round
BOSTON — All-Star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 58 points on 19-of-34 shooting (55.9%), as the Celtics eliminated the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series, 120-89.Boston awaits the winner of a first-round series between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. The Pistons, who staved off elimination on Tuesday, host the Knicks in Game 6 on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET.Celtics dominate third quarterIt was as if the Celtics needed only a lead, any lead, to break this game open.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Magic controlled much of the first half, taking a 49-47 advantage into the break and stretching that lead to five in the early going of the third quarter. And then their momentum halted. Or Tatum halted it.Tatum made Boston's first 3-pointer of the night — yes, its first 3-pointer of the night (more […]
Mega Millions Winning Numbers for Friday April 29: $70 Million jackpot today
TheMega Millionsjackpot for Friday's lottery drawing has increased to an estimated $70 million or an option for a cash prize of $31.8 million million.You could be the person who can take the millionaire's prize.Verify the information, and check if your life changed with the lucky numbers.The nation holds its breath as the clock strikes 10:59 pm ET, and the winning numbers for tonight's Mega Millions jackpot are being revealed. With millions of hopefuls eagerly clutching their tickets, these six numbers have the power to change lives in an instant. As the suspense builds, everyone waits to see if they've struck gold.We wish you luck and remember to review your ticket carefully to know if you are the lucky holder of the winning stub. And now, the lucky numbers are...Winning Numbers for Friday April 25th, 2025The Mega Millions winning numbers have […]
Cade Cunningham carries Pistons in must-win Game 5 nail-biter over Knicks
<!--> Cade Cunningham had 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and the Detroit Pistons stayed alive in their first postseason appearance since 2019 by beating the New York Knicks 106-103 on Tuesday night in Game 5 of their first-round series.Ausar Thompson added 22 points and Tobias Harris had 17 for the Pistons, who will have a chance to even things up Thursday night at home in Game 6. If they win that, the deciding game would be back at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.Detroit, though, has lost an NBA record-tying nine straight home games since 2008.But the Pistons seem comfortable in New York, where they were 2-0 in the regular season and now 2-1 in this series, including their Game 2 victory that snapped their 15-game postseason losing streak, the longest in NBA history.ADVERTISEMENT -->OG Anunoby scored 19 points […]
Giannis Antetokounmpo gets into heated confrontation with Tyrese Haliburton’s dad after Pacers eliminate Bucks
Getty Images Giannis Antetokounmpo just lost what might wind up being his final game as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks in utterly heartbreaking fashion. Despite finishing Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists, the Bucks blew leads at the end of both regulation and overtime to get eliminated in the first round of the postseason. A wide-open dunk by Tyrese Haliburton sent the game to overtime, and then Gary Trent Jr. fumbled a pass out of bounds to set Haliburton up for a game-winning layup as the Pacers pulled out an improbable 119-118 victory.The common thread in this collapse, of course, was the exceptional play of Haliburton for Indiana. Haliburton has been quite vocal throughout the series, getting into a confrontation with Damian Liilard on the bench in Game 1. "We don't have to […]
How the Pacers eliminated the Bucks and pulled off the biggest comeback in franchise playoff history
Getty Images The Indiana Pacers are on to the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs after eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in stunning fashion on Tuesday night. After trailing by as many as 20, and by seven with less than 40 seconds to play, the Pacers stormed back to take Game 5 of their first-round series, 119-118 in overtime. The Pacers will now play the No. 1 overall seed Cleveland Cavaliers. The schedule for that series is yet to be announced. Before that matchup gets underway, here's a look back at how the Pacers completed their miraculous comeback, which, at 20 points, was the biggest in franchise history in postseason play. Bucks use new starting lineup, get off to a strong startWith Damian Lillard sidelined due to a torn Achilles tendon, which occurred early in Game 4, the Bucks had no choice but […]
NBA playoffs: Pistons hang tough in New York to force a Game 6
NEW YORK — J.B. Bickerstaff’s message to his team heading into a do-or-die Game 5 was simple.“We’ve overcome a ton of odds, right?” he said before the game. “So why not one more time?”The Pistons answered his call, grinding through a rugged, physical, often-sloppy Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden to extend the first-round series with a 106-103 victory.Ausar Thompson (left) and Cade Cunningham high-five during the second half of Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday in New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier via Getty Images)Game 5 was a slugfest in a phone booth: eight ties, 14 lead changes, 21 combined missed free throws, 51 personal fouls, neither team able to gain more than 10 points of separation. Once again, the contest was decided in crunch time; this time, though, it was the Pistons that […]
Related
Celtics close out Magic in Game 5 with blowout win, advance to second round
BOSTON — All-Star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown combined for 58 points on 19-of-34 shooting (55.9%), as the Celtics eliminated the Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series, 120-89.Boston awaits the winner of a first-round series between the New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons. The Pistons, who staved off elimination on Tuesday, host the Knicks in Game 6 on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET.Celtics dominate third quarterIt was as if the Celtics needed only a lead, any lead, to break this game open.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Magic controlled much of the first half, taking a 49-47 advantage into the break and stretching that lead to five in the early going of the third quarter. And then their momentum halted. Or Tatum halted it.Tatum made Boston's first 3-pointer of the night — yes, its first 3-pointer of the night (more […]
Mega Millions Winning Numbers for Friday April 29: $70 Million jackpot today
TheMega Millionsjackpot for Friday's lottery drawing has increased to an estimated $70 million or an option for a cash prize of $31.8 million million.You could be the person who can take the millionaire's prize.Verify the information, and check if your life changed with the lucky numbers.The nation holds its breath as the clock strikes 10:59 pm ET, and the winning numbers for tonight's Mega Millions jackpot are being revealed. With millions of hopefuls eagerly clutching their tickets, these six numbers have the power to change lives in an instant. As the suspense builds, everyone waits to see if they've struck gold.We wish you luck and remember to review your ticket carefully to know if you are the lucky holder of the winning stub. And now, the lucky numbers are...Winning Numbers for Friday April 25th, 2025The Mega Millions winning numbers have […]
Cade Cunningham carries Pistons in must-win Game 5 nail-biter over Knicks
<!--> Cade Cunningham had 24 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, and the Detroit Pistons stayed alive in their first postseason appearance since 2019 by beating the New York Knicks 106-103 on Tuesday night in Game 5 of their first-round series.Ausar Thompson added 22 points and Tobias Harris had 17 for the Pistons, who will have a chance to even things up Thursday night at home in Game 6. If they win that, the deciding game would be back at Madison Square Garden on Saturday.Detroit, though, has lost an NBA record-tying nine straight home games since 2008.But the Pistons seem comfortable in New York, where they were 2-0 in the regular season and now 2-1 in this series, including their Game 2 victory that snapped their 15-game postseason losing streak, the longest in NBA history.ADVERTISEMENT -->OG Anunoby scored 19 points […]
Giannis Antetokounmpo gets into heated confrontation with Tyrese Haliburton’s dad after Pacers eliminate Bucks
Getty Images Giannis Antetokounmpo just lost what might wind up being his final game as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks in utterly heartbreaking fashion. Despite finishing Game 5 against the Indiana Pacers with 30 points, 20 rebounds and 13 assists, the Bucks blew leads at the end of both regulation and overtime to get eliminated in the first round of the postseason. A wide-open dunk by Tyrese Haliburton sent the game to overtime, and then Gary Trent Jr. fumbled a pass out of bounds to set Haliburton up for a game-winning layup as the Pacers pulled out an improbable 119-118 victory.The common thread in this collapse, of course, was the exceptional play of Haliburton for Indiana. Haliburton has been quite vocal throughout the series, getting into a confrontation with Damian Liilard on the bench in Game 1. "We don't have to […]
How the Pacers eliminated the Bucks and pulled off the biggest comeback in franchise playoff history
Getty Images The Indiana Pacers are on to the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs after eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in stunning fashion on Tuesday night. After trailing by as many as 20, and by seven with less than 40 seconds to play, the Pacers stormed back to take Game 5 of their first-round series, 119-118 in overtime. The Pacers will now play the No. 1 overall seed Cleveland Cavaliers. The schedule for that series is yet to be announced. Before that matchup gets underway, here's a look back at how the Pacers completed their miraculous comeback, which, at 20 points, was the biggest in franchise history in postseason play. Bucks use new starting lineup, get off to a strong startWith Damian Lillard sidelined due to a torn Achilles tendon, which occurred early in Game 4, the Bucks had no choice but […]
NBA playoffs: Pistons hang tough in New York to force a Game 6
NEW YORK — J.B. Bickerstaff’s message to his team heading into a do-or-die Game 5 was simple.“We’ve overcome a ton of odds, right?” he said before the game. “So why not one more time?”The Pistons answered his call, grinding through a rugged, physical, often-sloppy Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden to extend the first-round series with a 106-103 victory.Ausar Thompson (left) and Cade Cunningham high-five during the second half of Game 5 at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday in New York. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) (Sarah Stier via Getty Images)Game 5 was a slugfest in a phone booth: eight ties, 14 lead changes, 21 combined missed free throws, 51 personal fouls, neither team able to gain more than 10 points of separation. Once again, the contest was decided in crunch time; this time, though, it was the Pistons that […]
Be the first to leave a comment