Latest news with #Fields'
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jets' Justin Fields is confident he can be the next QB that experiences a career resurgence
NEW YORK — In recent years, several quarterbacks, including Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith and Sam Darnold, have experienced a resurgence later in their careers. What gives Justin Fields the confidence that he can follow that trend with the Jets? Advertisement 'Just confidence in myself,' Fields said after practice on Thursday. 'At the end of the day, it's really not up to the scheme. Of course, [opponents] are going to do their best to scheme it up. 'Coaches aren't gonna call perfect plays every play, so they always say it is up to the players to make plays when we need them the most. It is not necessarily in the scheme or anything like that, but when it's time to make those plays in the game, when it's time to make something happen, that's what I'm going to do and that's what the guys around me are going to do as well.' The Jets signed Fields, 26, to a two-year, $40 million contract in March, hoping he can revitalize his career. During his three seasons with the Bears after he was selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL draft, Fields threw for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions. He also won only 10 of his 38 starts with the Bears and completed 60.3% of his passes, which is well below the league average over the last 10 seasons (64.1%). Throughout his career, Fields' superpower is his dual-threat ability. He has rushed for 2,509 yards and 19 touchdowns in four seasons. Advertisement After Chicago drafted Caleb Williams in 2024, Fields was traded to the Steelers to provide insurance behind then-starter Russell Wilson. But after Wilson suffered a preseason calf injury, Fields started the first six games and won four of those. He also registered a career high in completion percentage (65.8%) with five touchdowns and one interception in limited duty under center. Those six starts in Pittsburgh were enough for the Jets' coaching staff to believe that Fields was good enough to become their starting quarterback and that he has untapped potential that hasn't been fully reached. The Jets obviously want to utilize Fields' skills as a dynamic runner and they don't want to take that away from him. However, they also believe Fields' big arm and football IQ can be successful in the Jets' offensive coordinator, Tanner Engstrand's, system. 'It is just growth,' Engstrand said about Fields. 'Just going through his career, just continuing to stack experience along with it and ultimately ends up winning four games out of six. You just see some of the things that are starting to develop in his game and then you look at that and you go, 'That's pretty good, we can do some things with that.' Advertisement 'I think that's kind of where it started. Then, of course, all the other things that are being talked about are real. Those things are real and we're excited to get going with him.' In Week 1, Fields will face his former team, the Steelers, and potentially former Jet Aaron Rodgers, who many expect to be Pittsburgh's starting quarterback next season. But Fields is treating it like just another game. 'That's who we play Week 1,' Fields said. 'There really wasn't a thought to that. During OTA practices, Fields has been rekindling his chemistry and his relationship with Garrett Wilson. The two played at Ohio State together for two seasons (2019-20). During that span, the Buckeyes were 20-2 and made an appearance in the 2020 National Championship before losing to Alabama. Advertisement After Fields and Wilson entered the league, they communicated occasionally. But now the duo has been practicing like they've been playing together for years. During 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills on Thursday, Fields completed six passes to Wilson, which was the most by any other player. 'He has been my guy for a long time now, so I really feel like we haven't skipped a beat out on the practice field,' Fields said about Wilson. 'It has been great so far being with him. 'When I came here, we really didn't miss a day. He's been great, he's been proactive in everything that he does working hard.' In addition to adding Fields, the Jets offense has undergone significant cosmetic changes from last season. Gone are veterans Rodgers, wide receiver Davante Adams, tight end Tyler Conklin, and right tackle Morgan Moses. Advertisement In their place, the Jets signed wide receivers Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson and drafted right tackle Armand Membou and tight end Mason Taylor. Despite the turnover on the coaching staff and the roster, Fields has high hopes for the Jets' offense this upcoming season. 'I think sky's the limit for this team, for this offense,' Fields said. 'But we have a long way to go. 'Offense and defense are new, so guys are really tuned in and locked in and trying to get everything down. But I think once we, the sky's the limit. We have all the guys that we need, we have all the talent, so it's really gonna come down to the discipline, the execution when the games come.'
New York Times
11-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Nine takeaways from Day 1 of NFL free agency, including what's next for Seahawks, Vikings
Inside: Nine things you should know about the first wave of free-agent signings, plus the best short-term rentals still available. Let's jump in. This article is from Scoop City, The Athletic's NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox. The top 20 signings prior to today, according to The Athletic's Top 150 (grades by Mike Jones): By now, you've heard that Sam Darnold joined the Seahawks on a three-year, $100.5 million deal. It's one of eight moves that foreshadow what's to come in 2025. The full list: 1. The Seahawks now have to keep Darnold upright. The 27-year-old Darnold, seven years Geno Smith's junior, signed a team-friendly deal that is essentially a two-year contract with a team option. His average pay accounts for just 12 percent of this year's cap, one of the lowest rates among veteran starting quarterbacks. Advertisement Darnold's also a great fit for new OC Klint Kubiak's play-action-heavy scheme (the pair worked together in SF in 2023). Michael-Shawn Dugar explains how the Seahawks can support Darnold, and it starts with improving their line. In 2024, when under pressure, Darnold's EPA per dropback fell from 0.21 (would rank fourth among 47 QBs' season-long averages) to -0.32 (46th of 47). Last year, PFF graded Darnold's Minnesota offensive line as middling, while the Seahawks' ranked 31st. Here's one of the 50 sacks they gave up along the way: Keep an eye on FA G Kevin Zeitler today, as Seattle should be bidding. 2. Chicago wins the offseason, again. Yesterday, optimism grew as Ben Johnson's Bears upgraded their biggest weaknesses by signing the best center available, Drew Dalman (PFF's No. 4 at his position in 2024), along with defensive linemen Dayo Adeyingbo and Grady Jarrett, both of whom help their pass rush. And they still have the No. 10 pick, along with three others in the top 75. Another offseason banner before an eventual 8-9 season? Maybe not. Jon Greenberg explains why this time looks different. 3. The Patriots hand out $283.6 million. As of March 9, the Eagles were paying 12 players over $10 million each. New England? Three, the fewest in the NFL. Mike Vrabel quickly fixed that, making yearly commitments of $26 million to DT Milton Williams (The Athletic's No. 1 free agent), $14.5 million to OLB Harold Landry, $12 million to LB Robert Spillane and $20 million to CB Carlton Davis. Even 34-year-old RT Morgan Moses got $8 million. Despite the spending, Drake Maye still needs a left tackle and someone to throw to. That hints to their draft strategy. For more, Chad Graff explains why the Patriots took such big risks. 4. The Jets enter their Justin Fields era. Fields' Madden 25 rating is just 73, yet New York signed him to a two-year deal worth $40 million. Brick Johnson is no longer in charge. Advertisement New OC Tanner Engstrand, who worked with Jared Goff in Detroit, is tasked with tailoring the offense to Fields' strengths — the incoming RPOs and heavy dose of play-action should help players like Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall. Fields, who has shown flashes of elite athleticism and arm talent (see the below completion against Pat Surtain II), is expected to start Week 1. Zack Rosenblatt has more on what this means for the Jets. 5. The Steelers really don't know how to find a quarterback. Earlier this offseason, team owner Art Rooney II said his 'priority' was to re-sign either Fields or Russell Wilson. Among the two, the younger, higher-ceiling Fields was the obvious choice. With that door closed, Steelers beat reporter Mike DeFabo writes that 'it seems the most likely marriage is with Aaron Rodgers,' though Wilson remains available. Good luck, Pittsburgh. 6. The Lions are comfortable running it back. Losing their starting cornerback (Carlton Davis) hurt, but GM Brad Holmes continued to impress by immediately finding a replacement who is both an upgrade and $4 million per year cheaper: 28-year-old CB D.J. Reed. The former Jet was the second-highest rated corner in The Athletic's top 150 free agents and will be a consistent starter on the outside, while his $16 million average pay is the largest for a free agent of this Lions era. After the Lions addressed their biggest need, Colton Pouncy noted depth remains a priority. Given last year's injury disasters, releasing edge Za'Darius Smith felt like a mistake, but Holmes knows more than I do. 7. The 49ers and Eagles lost valuable depth. Two of the NFC's largest talent pools saw players exit on big-money deals. That hurts in the short term, but does provide potential compensatory picks, determined by the size of the contracts signed with other teams. (Over the Cap explains it all here.) Advertisement Philly is scheduled to receive a third-, fourth- and sixth-round pick in 2026, while the 49ers are scheduled to get two fourths and a fifth, which could change if they sign edge Joey Bosa to bookend his brother. But for the 49ers, the losses still hurt. In that light, the Jets' 2024 trade for Haason Reddick (sending a third to the Eagles) doesn't look as bad, since they may receive a fourth due to his signing in Tampa Bay this week. 8. The Commanders are all in. They made headlines by acquiring Houston's Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil (and a fourth-round pick in 2025) for two 2025 picks (third and seventh) and two 2026 picks (second and fourth). It's a major upgrade for Jayden Daniels' blindside, as the 31-year-old Tunsil replaces rookie Brandon Coleman, who struggled. The Texans offensive line couldn't afford to get worse, so this must have been cap-related; C.J. Stroud's due for an extension next year, and Tunsil has no guaranteed money past 2025. Washington can afford to pay him, which is one reason Jeff Howe gave them an A-. The Texans got a B, thanks to GM Nick Caserio's drafting prowess. 9. The Vikings build around J.J. McCarthy. Beat reporter Alec Lewis has written that Minnesota wanted to construct a roster around a rookie quarterback contract. With McCarthy, they finally can. They didn't wait long to cash in. Minnesota signed highly rated DT Jonathan Allen to a three-year, $60 million deal and improved their interior OL with C Ryan Kelly on a cost-effective contract and his former Colts teammate G Will Fries on a five-year, $88 million deal. They also brought back Pro Bowl CB Byron Murphy Jr. for $22 million per year. Bonus: The Broncos are dangerous. Adding two standout defensive players in S Talanoa Hufanga and LB Dre Greenlaw improves Denver's defensive weakness: the middle of the field. If both play to their potential, the Broncos defense will have 'difference-makers at every level,' writes Nick Kosmider in his explainer on why these are risks worth taking. Advertisement For more: Now let's talk about who's left. In the NFL, a rental is an aging veteran who offers valuable short-term production, but is certainly gone after that. This strategy went poorly for the Jets (see Rodgers, Aaron), but worked for the Buccaneers (see Brady, Tom). While no one in the 2025 class will have an impact like those two, the players below could be strong additions for teams in need (age as of 2025's Week 1): WR Stefon Diggs (31). The Cowboys need a win with their fans, and Diggs could give them that, but the Patriots offer a No. 1 role — and loads of money. DT Javon Hargrave (32). Injuries limited him to three games in 2024, but he could offer intriguing upside for Cardinals HC Jonathan Gannon, who worked with Hargrave in Philly. Edge Za'Darius Smith (32). One of the league's most productive pass rushers since 2019, he must be one of the Panthers' top targets after they were outbid on Milton Williams (but still bolstered their defensive line with two bargain signings). This newsletter's FA predictions so far: 6/6 after Najee Harris signed with the Chargers. For more, read the site's full list of the best available free agents. Yesterday's most-clicked: Nick Baumgardner's pre-free agency mock, which holds up well despite a busy first day. Check out the full mock here. Stay tuned to the live blog for all the latest. See you tomorrow. 📫 Enjoyed this read? Sign up here to receive The Athletic's free daily NFL newsletter in your inbox. Also, check out our other newsletters.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Can Justin Fields find success with the Jets?
(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) The New York Jets have made a splash by signing quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal, with $30 million guaranteed. It's a move that has left some fans scratching their heads, while others are eager to see if Fields can reignite his career with the Jets. Will he elevate the team or continue to struggle with the issues that have plagued him in the past? Fields' decision to join the Jets seems to stem from a desire for stability. As Nate Tice pointed out in a recent discussion on "Football 301," the Steelers' indecision and flirtation with Russell Wilson may have cost them the chance to solidify Fields as their QB1. Instead, Fields finds himself in New York, a place where dreams are often dashed on the rocks of unrealistic expectations. Fields' journey through the NFL has been anything but smooth. Torn between showcasing flashes of brilliance and frustrating inconsistency, he's a player with potential that remains just out of reach. Tice and Matt Harmon both noted that the Jets' new offensive coordinator, Tanner Engstrand, is a relative unknown, having previously been with the Detroit Lions. This raises questions about how Fields will fit alongside the likes of Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. Not known for their offensive prowess, the Jets will need to leverage Fields' mobility and athleticism, allowing him to thrive in an environment that emphasizes his strengths. However, as Tice warned, Fields will need to be wary of taking too many sacks, a recurring issue that could derail his time in New York. The Jets offer Fields a chance to prove himself. With Garrett Wilson, a receiver Harmon ranks in the second tier of the league, Fields will have a target capable of separating from defenders, unlike many he worked with previously. If the two can sync up, it might unlock a new dimension of the Jets' offense. Furthermore, the Jets' focus on rebuilding their offensive line could give Fields the protection he desperately needs. The combination of solid pass protection and a dynamic run game could create the balanced attack that has thus far eluded him. Fields' signing suggests a cautious optimism from the Jets' front office. They aren't committing to a long-term solution, but they're willing to roll the dice on Fields' upside. As the season unfolds, Fields will need to overcome his past shortcomings and adapt to the Jets' system. If he can find his groove, the deal might just prove to be a steal for New York. For more on the discussion, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Memorial scholarship created in honor of plane crash victim
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Students will continue to feel the influence of Butler Community College biology professor Lindsey Fields, even after her death. Fields died on the Wichita flight to Washington DC last week. A scholarship fund is being created in her honor. Lindsey Fields was an accomplished leader in education. She served as the chair of the biology department at Butler Community College and was president elect for the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT). Her family says this is about carrying on her legacy. Growing up in the panhandle of Oklahoma, nature was always something Lindsey Fields loved. 'We were outdoors a lot,' Amy Costner-Lark. 'At family events we would go hiking we could go hunting we could go fishing, we could do anything we wanted outside.' That love for nature fed over into science. She followed the path of family members before her with a career in science education. 'She was a leader amongst her peers, and she had a dynamic personality and the ability to make people feel like they were the only one in the room,' said Costner-Lark. Her passion for educating is what led her closest friends to create a fundraiser for the Lindsey (Carter) Fields Memorial Science Scholarship in her honor. All of the proceeds from the fund will go to endowed scholarships at Oklahoma State University — Fields' alma mater — and Butler Community College. 'The goal of the scholarship was to honor Lindsey's legacy and allow her to continue to touch the lives of students who are interested in science and so it gives us the ability to give back to students in her name,' said Costner-Lark. Fields' loved ones are hoping even though she's gone, her impact lasts lifetimes. So far, the fundraiser has raised nearly half of its $100,000 goal. Fields' family is hoping to raise enough money to create endowed scholarships at both schools. They say Lindsey made a big impact through small actions, and that even a small donation can help the fund grow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
