The New York Jets started their preseason with Justin Fields as their new starting quarterback after a disappointing 5-12 season with Aaron Rodgers. Fields made his first appearance in the preseason last week during the Jets’ 30-10 win over the Green Bay Packers, completing three of four passes for 42 yards. However, in Saturday’s matchup against the New York Giants, Fields struggled noticeably, completing only one of five throws for four yards and no touchdowns, leading to frustration among fans over whether Rodgers would have been a better option.
Analyzing Fields’ early career and contract details
Last season, Fields saw limited action with the Pittsburgh Steelers, backing up Russell Wilson and appearing in 10 games. Over that span, he threw for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns, helping the team secure a 10-7 record before a playoff loss to the Ravens. In March, the Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract that positions him as the expected starter for the 2025 season. Despite the uneven start, ESPN analyst Rich Cimini encouraged fans to remain optimistic about Fields’ potential contributions to the Jets moving forward.
Giants’ Kavyon Thibodeaux gives blunt assessment following joint practices with Jets
Ahead of the Jets-Giants game, both teams participated in joint practice sessions where Giants edge rusher Kavyon Thibodeaux shared his critical view of Fields’ performance. According to Giants reporter Pat Leonard, Thibodeaux remarked on Fields’ tendency to escape pressure rather than showcase his passing skills.
“#Giants edge rusher Kavyon Thibodeaux was asked for his evaluation of Justin Fields as a QB after 2 days of practices against the #Jets. Thibodeaux says he honestly can’t give one because Fields had to spend so much time running and scrambling away from the Giants’ pass rush.”
—Pat Leonard, Giants reporter
Upcoming preseason finale and regular season outlook
The Jets will face the Philadelphia Eagles in their final preseason game on August 22, aiming to solidify their quarterback’s confidence and rhythm. The regular season kicks off on September 7 at MetLife Stadium with a highly anticipated game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1:00 pm ET. How Fields performs in the remaining preseason action and the season opener will likely influence fan perception and the broader discussion about the Jets’ quarterback direction going forward.