Jets' Aaron Glenn has plans for how to unlock Justin Fields as his quarterback
Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is interviewed at the NFL's annual meetings Monday n Palm Beach, Fla. Credit: AP/Lynne Sladky
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Aaron Glenn got a good look at the type of impact Justin Fields can have on a game with his legs, and it left an impression. It was a main reason Glenn wanted Fields to run the Jets’ offense.
Fields rushed for 147, 132 and 104 yards with the Bears against the Lions when Glenn was Detroit’s defensive coordinator. The damage that Fields caused against Glenn’s Lions defense made Fields option No. 1 to be QB1 for Glenn’s Jets.
“He brings a dimension to this game that a lot of people are trying to create around this league that we could take advantage of,” Glenn said Monday. “I want to try to utilize that as much as possible.”
Glenn, speaking at the AFC coaches’ breakfast at the NFL meetings, was adamant in saying the Jets believe Fields can do much more than run. They’re going to give him every chance to prove it this season.
“Obviously, we want to utilize his legs, but we also want him to play quarterback,” said Glenn, a first-time head coach. “We’re going to allow him during OTAs to go up there and run an offense and we’re going to make sure we surround him with the right type of people that’s going to make him successful.
“Against us, he did create some damage, and that is one of the reasons why I want him to be a part of what we’re doing. But I think he’s a dynamic player, and I think there is more we can get out of that player, and I’m looking forward to that.”
The Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract. General manager Darren Mougey already announced that he will be the Jets’ starting quarterback. That shows the faith they have in Fields, Glenn and first-time offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
Fields, whom the Bears drafted No. 11 in 2021, has potential. He’s one of three quarterbacks to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, along with Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson. But Fields as a passer has been underwhelming. He’s thrown 45 touchdown passes in 50 games and surpassed 250 yards only seven times.
Fields showed improvement last year with Pittsburgh, starting six games and going 4-2. He had his second 300-yard passing game last season.
The Jets believe he can build off that and become a more well-rounded quarterback.
“We’re going to let him play quarterback,” Glenn said. “That’s what he’s always wanted to do. Listen, I’m not saying that he hasn’t had a chance to play that and do that in other places. That’s not my issue. But I know what I want to do with that player.”
Mougey said the Jets considered the career paths of Baker Mayfield and former Jet Sam Darnold — quarterbacks drafted high who excelled after a change of scenery and coaching — when they planned their pursuit of Fields.
“You’ve seen some of that as of late and it did as we went through the process,” Mougey said. “We think we could have the same type of result here.”
Fields already has someone on the Jets he has thrown to plenty — former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson. That familiarity could lead to some big games for both players and make the Jets even tougher to defend.
“We were just trying to get the player that I felt I wanted to run this team as far as quarterback,” Glenn said. “It just so happened that they were teammates. I think they both were happy about that also.
“The fact that we got Justin was more or less, man, this is the vision that I’m looking for at quarterback — and to be able to get that player was outstanding for us as a team.”
Glenn on Gardner, Wilson
Cornerback Sauce Gardner’s play dipped last season, but Glenn said he “can be the best in the league” at his position. Glenn also said Wilson, who was frustrated with the Jets’ offense last year, “is in a good place.”
The Jets could work on contract extensions for Wilson and Gardner after the draft.
“We want to keep those guys,” Glenn said. “They’re good players, so I’m in the business of keeping good players.”
Quiet by design
Glenn said the Jets haven’t made splashy moves because he doesn’t care about winning the offseason. “I’m a huge believer,” he said, “in just moving in silence and letting things play out like they need to play out.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
