The New York Jets signed veteran quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract this offseason. Fields has yet to fully establish himself as a starting-caliber NFL quarterback after being selected No. 11 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, but New York might represent his best shot yet.
Hall of Fame return specialist Devin Hester believes Fields can succeed with the Jets — if they build the offense around him instead of forcing him into a system that doesn’t suit his skill set.
Devin Hester Says Jets Need to Mold Offense Around Justin Fields, Not the Other Way Around
The Chicago Bears traded up to draft Fields in a quarterback-heavy 2021 first round. He started his rookie season behind veteran Andy Dalton, but an injury to Dalton in Week 2 pushed Fields into the lineup early. He was sacked nine times in his first career start and never found consistent success with Chicago’s offense.
Over three seasons, Fields compiled a 10-28 record and never threw for more than 2,600 yards in a single year. His most productive season came in 2022, when he passed for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while also rushing for 1,143 yards and eight scores. Though dangerous on the ground, he lacked the surrounding support and offensive stability needed to thrive.
Fields posted 2,562 passing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023 before suffering a dislocated shoulder and thumb in Week 6. He returned in Week 11 and led Chicago to a 4-3 finish, but the Bears dealt him to the Steelers that offseason.
In Pittsburgh, Fields competed with Russell Wilson for the starting job. A preseason calf injury to Wilson gave Fields an early opportunity, and the Steelers went 4-2 to open the season. But once Wilson returned, Fields was pushed into a limited role. He threw only two passes the rest of the year, and the Steelers let him walk in free agency.
Now Fields has another shot with the Jets. And Hester — who spoke on “Up & Adams” — hopes this time will be different.
Devin Hester explains how the New York Jets could maximize Justin Fields. ⬇️@heykayadams | @D_Hest23 pic.twitter.com/nwCL1oJEyg
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) April 10, 2025
“I feel that Justin Fields … he’s a system guy. The offense has to fit him,” Hester said. “Every player’s not meant to be an old-school pocket passer. Justin is a guy like Lamar Jackson. You can’t come in with the mindset, ‘This is my offense, and this is how we’re gonna run it.’”
Hester emphasized the need for flexibility: “Fit the offense around that quarterback, and then advance your offense.”
Tanner Engstrand, in his first season as the Jets’ offensive coordinator, comes from Detroit, where he served as passing game coordinator. He’s never called plays at the NFL level, but now he has a unique quarterback to work with.
Hester wants Engstrand and the Jets’ staff to study Fields’ past.
“In order for Justin to succeed and do well, they have to go back and watch film on his college days. Maybe even his high school days,” Hester said. “Figure out what made him so unique…why he got drafted so high.”
When asked whether the Jets have the right system for Fields, Hester didn’t hold back.
“Either they have the system for him, or he’s just going to be a regular quarterback,” he said. “At the end of the day, coaches got to drop their egos and say, ‘Hey, this is the type of quarterback we got.’ You know when you drafted this kid what type of quarterback he is. Don’t bring him in if you’re trying to make him into a different quarterback.”
Fields is now with his third team in five seasons. This might be his last shot at being a full-time starter, but if the Jets tailor their offense to his strengths, it could finally be the one that sticks.