
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets have a brand new teaching workers, a brand new quarterback and a brand new philosophy relating to preseason enjoying time.
Quarterback Justin Fields and the starters will play within the preseason opener Saturday evening towards the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Area, coach Aaron Glenn introduced Thursday.
"We're enjoying," Glenn stated emphatically. "We're enjoying."
Glenn wouldn't say how a lot his starters will play, however the truth that they may see motion represents a unique method from earlier coach Robert Saleh.
Fields' predecessor, Aaron Rodgers, noticed no enjoying time final preseason. Neither did many of the starters. In 2023, Rodgers was restricted to 9 snaps within the last preseason sport.
The final time the Jets' beginning quarterback performed within the preseason opener was 2022, and it turned out disastrous. Second-year quarterback Zach Wilson injured his knee on the second collection. He needed to endure surgical procedure and missed the primary three regular-season video games.
Glenn is keen to cope with the harm threat. As a first-year coach, he’s making an attempt to set a tone that he hopes carries into the season. He wouldn't elaborate, saying solely, "As a result of I wish to play. That's the rationale."
On his choice to play Fields, Glenn stated, "I need our guys to play. That's the rationale."
Fields might definitely use the work, primarily based on his inconsistent practices in coaching camp. The identical could possibly be stated for all the offense, which is studying a brand new system beneath first-year coordinator Tanner Engstrand.
After struggling for 3 straight practices, Fields was sharp Thursday, finishing 8 of 14 passes in crew drills, together with a landing to broad receiver Garrett Wilson. He had no interceptions, however a go was deflected off the arms of tight finish Jeremy Ruckert.
Fields stated this week that wished to play within the preseason.
"I feel we have to not less than see the sphere each sport," he stated. "I feel that will likely be good for our crew. Will probably be good for Tanner with the in-game stuff. Will probably be good for me and the fellows on offense. I do know some guys, they sit out the entire preseason, however I don't assume that's the case for us. Simply due to the brand new crew, new offense and stuff like that."
Fields hasn't performed plenty of soccer previously 11 months. He began the primary six video games final season for the Pittsburgh Steelersthen was changed by Russell Wilson.
"He's a really mature particular person. He understands the highs and lows of this sport," Glenn stated of Fields. "There's a lot outdoors noise to attempt to beat him down, and he's so mature. He doesn't let that have an effect on him. He's simply going to go about his enterprise."
Early in camp, Fields missed one observe and was restricted in two others on account of a toe dislocation on his proper foot. There’s nonetheless some swelling, he stated, however it doesn't trouble him anymore.