One of the biggest storylines at the start of the 2025 NFL free agency period involved quarterback Justin Fields, who was weighing his options between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New York Jets.
Fields ultimately chose to go to New York, signing a two-year, $40 million deal, and recently revealed that head coach Aaron Glenn was the biggest reason.
Justin Fields Reveals No.1 Reason He Signed With Jets
New York has been a rough place for quarterbacks in recent years, with several top draft picks and veterans struggling to get the franchise moving. Fields is an intriguing mix of both. At just 26 years old, the former Bear has 44 NFL starts under his belt, most recently going 4-2 in Pittsburgh.
New Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand has his starting quarterback to build around. The former Detroit Lions passing game coordinator followed Aaron Glenn to New Jersey after Glenn was hired as the Jets’ new head coach.
Fields’s playing style completely differs from that of Lions quarterback Jared Goff, whom Engstrand worked with in Detroit. His mobility also sets him apart from previous Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The former Green Bay Packer was a far more polished passer than Fields, who still has room to grow in that area. However, Fields played alongside the team’s star receiver, Garrett Wilson, at Ohio State, so there should be some natural chemistry between them.
However, the coach, Glenn, was the most significant factor that convinced Fields to sign with New York. Whether that was a shot at the Steelers coach Mike Tomlin or not, who benched him in favor of Russell Wilson after going 4-2, Fields is excited about his new chapter with the Jets.
“I think, No. 1, coach Glenn. I’ve played against him early in my career. I know how passionate he is about the game, the way he coaches, the way his players play. So I think that was the biggest thing for me. And just the opportunity, the fans, of course, the city. When you win here, there’s no better place to win. Those reasons are ultimately why I ended up here,” he told newyorkjets.com reporter Ethan Greenberg.
Former Steelers QB Justin Fields on why he chose the Jets in free agency: “I think, No. 1, coach [Aaron] Glenn. I've played against him early in my career. I know how passionate he is about the game, the way he coaches, the way his players play. So I think that was the biggest…
— Steelers Depot 7⃣ (@Steelersdepot)
Fields was drafted 11th overall by the Chicago Bears in 2021 NFL Draft and spent three years in Windy City before being traded to the Steelers in March 2024. While he wasn’t impressive in Chicago, Fields wasn’t bad either, logging over 6,500 yards and 40 touchdowns in 28 games started.
He posted his career-best past completion rate of 65.8% with the Steelers last, logging in 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception in the six starts. Fields finished with a QB rating of 78.1 (C+ grade) in PFSN’s QB+ metric and had a slightly higher QB+ than Wilson, who ranked 29th over the last four weeks of the season — all games the Steelers lost.
