Justin Fields walked into the New York Jets’ facility carrying more than just a new playbook. After a roller coaster journey through Chicago and a brief but eye-opening stint in Pittsburgh, Fields knows this season is about more than touchdowns and stats. The question hanging over training camp: Did his experience with the Steelers and Russell Wilson really change him, and does he have what it takes to lead the Jets?
How Did Justin Fields’ Time with the Pittsburgh Steelers Shape His New York Jets Mindset?
No two NFL teams are ever the same. Coaches might borrow a few plays or try a scheme they saw work somewhere else, but every franchise builds its own identity. That goes double for quarterbacks — no two players see the league the same way, and what works for one might not help another. Fields is learning just how true that is as he joins New York for the first time.
After the Chicago Bears picked him with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, they expected a mobile quarterback who could adjust to the rigors of the passing game. While the former Ohio State product ran for 2,220 yards and 14 touchdowns in Chicago, his passing lagged, completing just 60.3% of his passes.
The Steelers gave him a new shot for the price of a sixth-round pick, and Fields quickly saw the game from a different angle. Pittsburgh handed him zero starts, where he went 4-2 and upped his completion rate to 65.8%.
Sitting down with “Up and Adams” host Kay Adams, Fields got real about that stretch with the Steelers. He opened up about what he learned being around a new group of teammates and working with Russell Wilson.
How did last year with the Steelers and Russell Wilson affect Justin Fields’ mindset?
“I think I did need to take a step back and see it from a different perspective” @heykayadams | @justnfields | @nyjets @steelers pic.twitter.com/OYzLb6mZSL
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) July 29, 2025
“Last year was something I’ve never experienced during my life. It changed my perspective a little bit. I learned a lot from just being over there in general. I’m thankful for my time over there. I did need to see, take a step back, and see it from a different perspective. Not only football, but life in general. Last year was definitely good to me, for sure.”
Coming off a tough 10-28 run with Chicago, going to a team with a winning atmosphere had to feel completely different for Fields. The mood in those locker rooms changes, the vibe differs, and teammates usually carry themselves differently. Now, what does all of that mean for Fields as he tries to make his mark in New York?
What Role Will Tanner Engstrand and the New York Jets’ Offense Play in Fields’ Development?
Fields arrives in New York with new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand, whose pedigree should advance Fields’ game. Engstrand brings serious coaching chops, having worked twice under Jim Harbaugh at the college level and then becoming Ben Johnson’s top assistant during the Detroit Lions’ recent offensive rise. With that kind of background, he’s expected to bring a fresh approach for Fields.
Engstrand’s experience helps him see the full picture for quarterbacks and could help Fields tap into his best traits. He knows how to highlight Fields’ skills — like moving in the pocket and running out of shotgun, waggles, and bootlegs. The run-pass option (RPO) puts even more pressure on defenses, forcing defenders to guess and, if they’re wrong, opening running lanes for Fields.
Fields said he worked hard during his season in Pittsburgh, learning and growing as a player and person. Now it’s on him to use all of that in New York, hoping to propel the Jets in the right direction. Can Fields take what he learned and turn the Jets into contenders?
