There is a good chance that the 2025 season will be the final opportunity Justin Fields has to cement himself as a legitimate franchise quarterback in the NFL. After failed stints with the Chicago Bears and the Pittsburgh Steelers, only a franchise as desperate as the New York Jets was ready to take a swing at him with a two-year deal. Trying to move on from the disastrous Aaron Rodgers experiment, New York needed a complete refresh.
Fields, along with the new head coach hiring Aaron Glenn, offers them a chance at changing their trajectory. However, the youngster might have a very short leash when it comes to proving himself, with a loaded 2026 draft class looming on the horizon. His first chance to impress is going to arrive in Week 1 of the preseason against the Green Bay Packers. But is Fields getting a chance to showcase his talent in front of a new audience?
Will Justin Fields Suit Up Against the Green Bay Packers?
The upside with a dual-threat quarterback like Fields is immediately obvious. That is what led to Chicago taking a swing at him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. However, while we’ve seen flashes of potential, he hasn’t been consistent enough to earn his spot.
As a result, the Bears were ready to move on after three years, whereas the Steelers only utilized him as a starter for six games until Russell Wilson returned from injury. With Tyrod Taylor as his only real competition on the Jets, Fields is going to have a free rein again.
At least for this season. With a two-year, $40 million contract that has $30 million in guarantees, New York could pivot immediately after this season if things don’t go according to plan. As a result, a lot is on the line for Fields in 2025.
His first taste of action is going to come immediately, as Glenn plans to play his starters a significant amount of time against Green Bay. Speaking to CBS Sports, he clarified, “We’re playing. I can’t tell you how much guys are going to play. That’s going to be affected by how the game goes, but we’re playing.”
His reasoning, while competitive, was incredibly simple. “Because I want to play. That’s the reason. I want our guys to play. That’s the reason.” He’s made it clear to his roster that he expects to walk out with a win in his first game as a head coach.
“There are some guys who sit out the whole preseason, but I don’t think that’s the case with us because of the new team, new offense, and stuff like that”
Justin Fields on playing in the preseason: pic.twitter.com/Yo7naY2xNY
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) August 5, 2025
Fields, himself, seemed to relish the opportunity to get his first start with the Jets. “There are some guys who sit out the whole preseason, but I don’t think that’s the case with us because of the new team, new offense, and stuff like that.”
But the entire operation will ultimately reside on Fields’ shoulders. The Packers are going to be the first test of what the future holds for the former 11th overall pick and the Jets’ quarterback position in the long term.
