Fields: 'I can be great' for Jets

Justin Fields is optimistic that he can solve the New York Jets' long-standing issues at quarterback this season.

"I can be great," Fields said after Thursday's practice at the Jets' OTAs, according to ESPN's Rich Cimini. "That's been the goal for me my whole life, my whole career. I think the sky's the limit for this team, for this offense, but we do have a long way to go."

New York signed Fields to a two-year, $40-million contract this offseason to replace Aaron Rodgers, who spent the past two seasons with the team.

The Jets, who haven't made the playoffs since the 2010 season, have struggled to find consistency at quarterback; their last QB with at least 4,000 yards in a season was Joe Namath in 1967.

Fields - the 2021 No. 11 pick - has stood out due to his ability to make plays with his legs, notably rushing for 1,143 yards in 2022. However, he hasn't been able to elevate his passing game in the NFL. The 26-year-old has never averaged more than 200 passing yards per game in a single season.

New Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is impressed by Fields' arm talent, though.

"He's obviously a physically talented player," Engstrand said. "Everybody talks about the running. Well, the guy's got an arm, too, and he does a great job with that."

Engstrand added: "There's just a lot of things that you can do with that type of player that's going to put stress on a defense and make that defensive coordinator stay up late at night as we get going into this thing."

Fields is on his third team in as many seasons. He made 40 appearances (38 starts) for the Chicago Bears from 2021-23 before enjoying a one-season stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers, with whom he started six games.