The call won't be up to Justin Fields, but the Jets quarterback had an interesting take on that annual question asked of head coaches and quarterbacks and veterans around the NFL at this time of year: How much would you like to play in the three preseason games?
Fields responded fearlessly, as we're coming to expect from the young, plain-talking, dual-threat signal-caller.
"I think we at least need to see the field each and every game," Fields said following Tuesday's training camp practice. "I think that'll be good for our team, it'll be good for Tanner [OC Tanner Engstrand], it'll be good for me and the guys on offense. Some guys, they sit out the whole preseason. I don't think that's the case with us, just because of new team, new offense, stuff like that. Yeah, that's kind of how I feel about the situation."
Head coach Aaron Glenn, of course, will make that call. He was already asked Monday about his starters playing at Green Bay on Saturday night and replied: "I'll answer that question later in the week."
AG could go either way. The NFL trend has been to resting as many veterans as possible for all preseason games. That's how the Jets played it in recent preseasons, and Glenn's Lions defense went in the same direction in his four seasons as DC. As for the Jets' QBs, beginning with rookie Sam Darnold in 2018, and similar to most other NFL teams, each year the anticipated starting QB's exposure in the summer games has diminished:
| Season | Expected RS Starter | PS GP/GS | PS Drives | PS Snaps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Aaron Rodgers | 0 / 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | Aaron Rodgers | 1 / 1 | 2 | 9 |
| 2022 | Zach Wilson | 1 / 1 | 1.5 | 9 |
| 2021 | Zach Wilson (R) | 2 / 2 | 6 | 42 |
| 2019 | Sam Darnold | 3 / 3 | 9 | 45 |
| 2018 | Sam Darnold (R) | 3 / 2 | 18 | 93 |
Fields, however, is a summer-games veteran — he's one of only five NFL quarterbacks to register at least 11 preseason games played and 7 starts the past four seasons. And his point about playing even just a little in all three Jets preseason games is at least worth considering. He and the offense have had practices where they looked sharp and dangerous. Yet the past several days, the unit has sputtered.
"I thought our defense was outstanding early in practice today, while our offense wasn't up to par," Glenn said. "Then once we got to the move-the-ball situations, I thought our offense did a really good job of getting the ball down the field."
"We're improving, especially from the start of training camp to now," Fields said. "Today wasn't up to our standard in terms of penalties and stuff like that. But just the base summary for you is I definitely think we've improved, for sure."
Glenn also wasn't ready to sack Fields over any summer practice inconsistencies.
"As far as his command of the offense, knowing exactly what to do, he was outstanding," the coach said. "Some of the throws weren't on point, but again, a lot of 'em were on point and guys have got to make plays for him, too. That kind of showed up today and we've got to fix those things.
Asked if he had concerns about the passing game heading toward the opener at Green Bay, Glenn said he didn't.
"It's early right now," he said. "I'm looking at Week 1. We have a long time to get to that point. And the type of men we have, I know they're going to pick it up and get it going, so I'm not worried."
One other storyline involving Fields also wasn't perfect but was trending upward. The QB's right toe, dislocated two weeks ago, stirred up a fan firestorm on social media, but with Fields' quick return, the damaged digit became just another one of those summer storms that quickly blow out to sea.
By the way, how was the toe after Tuesday's practice?
"It's not really still a problem," Fields said. "It's a little bit swollen. I just have to go from a 12½ to a 13. I'm all good other than that."
