The New York Jets parted methods with future Corridor of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers earlier this offseason earlier than they signed Justin Fields to a two-year, $40M contract that included $30M assured.
Numerous stats point out Fields can be a downgrade on the sport’s most vital place for the Jets after the membership went 5-12 with Rodgers within the lineup this previous season. Nevertheless, Rich Cimini of ESPN defined for a chunk printed on Monday why there may be purpose to imagine Fields may give the Jets extra throughout the upcoming marketing campaign than what Rodgers supplied the franchise over its final 17 video games.
“Of their previous 17 begins, Fields is superior to Rodgers in Complete QBR (52.0 to 48.0), completion share over anticipated (2.4% to -5.2%) and yards per try (7.0 to six.7). Fields additionally has a greater file as a starter — 9-8 to 5-12,” Cimini wrote.
It is worth mentioning that solely six of Fields’ previous 17 begins occurred when he spent the 2024 season as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went 4-2 as Pittsburgh’s starter when Russell Wilson was coping with a lingering calf drawback, however head coach Mike Tomlin most popular to begin a recovered Wilson from Week 7 by means of the Steelers’ wild-card playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
In accordance with Pro Football Reference, Rodgers ended the 2024 common season ranked twenty eighth within the league together with his 48.0 QBR. Fields’ 50.8 QBR would’ve been good for twenty fifth in that class had he completed Week 18 amongst certified gamers.
Per the StatMuse website, solely Lamar Jackson of the Ravens amassed extra regular-season speeding yards (2,352) than Fields (2,220) from 2021-2023. The Jets are anticipated to make use of Fields as a runner greater than Pittsburgh did over his six begins final season.
Neither first-time head coach Aaron Glenn nor basic supervisor Darren Mougey was with the Jets after they acquired Rodgers from the Inexperienced Bay Packers within the spring of 2023. The perception exists that Glenn and Mougey needed to keep away from having to cope with potential distractions brought on by Rodgers’ off-the-field habits, similar to his weekly in-season appearances on “The Pat McAfee Present.”
“They imagine Fields, 26, is an ascending participant,” Cimini added in regards to the Jets. “His understated demeanor ought to make him a greater match with Glenn than Rodgers would’ve been.”
Whereas Fields is trying to resurrect his profession with Gang Inexperienced, Rodgers is on monitor to function Pittsburgh’s Week 1 QB1 at none apart from the Jets on Sept. 7. If nothing else, each signal-callers ought to have a lot to show at MetLife Stadium that Sunday afternoon.
