The New York Jets had a bit of a jumpscare Thursday at practice when newly signed starting quarterback Justin Fields went down with an injury and was carted off the field. It was quickly reported that Fields suffered a dislocated toe and would be day-to-day while he recovers.
That is great news for the new-look Jets, who in their first year under new head coach Aaron Glenn have built one of the more unique offenses in the league that is actually centered on Fields’ skills. Without him, their identity of being a team that can run the ball would be in jeopardy.
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As Fields enters what may be his last shot at being an NFL starting quarterback, the Jets have put him in a situation where he is going to own a large role in the success of their offense. Not only because he is the quarterback, but also because he’s going to end up being a focal point for the Jets’ run game, which feeds into Fields’ strengths and weaknesses as a QB. How successful it will be is anyone’s guess, but it could create one of the more interesting offenses to study in the NFL.
New York spent the seventh pick in the NFL Draft on Armand Membou, a standout offensive tackle from Missouri. Putting him across from former first-round pick Olu Fashanu, who played well at left tackle down the stretch last season, potentially gives the Jets an offensive tackle duo that could be effective immediately. With talented running back Breece Hall looking for a bounce-back year, there are actually a lot of tools for new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand to tinker with.
The Jets got to breathe a sigh of relief after finding out that Justin Fields’ toe injury is day-to-day. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Engstrand spent the past three seasons as the Detroit Lions‘ passing game coordinator, but he’ll need to lean into his personnel’s strengths here. If center Joe Tippmann and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker can solidify the interior offensive line, this could be one of those run games that beats up people.
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The Jets ranked 21st in rushing success rate last season (37.1%) and 25th in expected points added per rush (-0.10) according to TruMedia data. If they replicate that performance on the ground, it’s going to be a long first year for Glenn. However, they have just the perfect mixture of ingredients to be one of those offenses that defenses hate to play against (while still probably not being all that good). It’d be nice to see Fields’ mobility on the ground and the pedigree on the offensive line combine to do something special — but it will take some work.
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Engstrand has a challenge in front of him. Coaching Jared Goff is a much different task than trying to rein in a physical talent like Fields. Still, with his speed and ability to run the ball, it seems likely there will be a heavy dose of zone read and option football within the Jets’ run game. The passing game will likely still be a work in progress for Fields, but at least he has one certified wide receiver on the outside with his longtime friend and former college teammate Garrett Wilson, who recently signed a big contract extension.
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The passing game will be boom-bust, but if Fields can make a clean recovery from this dislocated toe injury, one of the most fascinating offenses in the league can get back on track. This is a rebuilding team, but if Glenn can get the defense backs in working order and get the talent to play up to their high standard on that side of the ball, the Jets could be in store for a big improvement over where they were last season.
