Justin Fields is proving he’s everything Aaron Rodgers wasn’t for the Jets

The Jets aren’t expected to win many games this season. Sure, it's possible the Jets surprise the NFL world and make a playoff run in 2025, but most expect Gang Green to finish near the bottom of the AFC East once again. And for once, that's perfectly okay.

Because for the first time in over two years, there’s a sense of peace in Florham Park. The drama and distractions are gone. Aaron Rodgers is out. Justin Fields is in. And the early signs suggest this team is more than ready to turn the page on this new organizational chapter.

Head coach Aaron Glenn is building a no-nonsense culture. Meanwhile, Fields is quickly winning over teammates with his humble, down-to-earth leadership.

Maybe he won’t be the long-term answer. If we're being honest, the odds aren’t in his favor. But one thing is for sure — the next year or two of Jets football should be significantly easier to enjoy than whatever the hell the last two years were.

The Justin Fields era is already proving to be quieter than the Aaron Rodgers era

The Jets made the decision to move on from Rodgers this offseason, releasing the four-time MVP prior to the start of free agency. While controversial at the time, it's a decision that's already paying dividends.

The former MVP might have brought name recognition and ticket sales, but he also brought drama by the truckload. From skipping mandatory minicamp for a vacation in Egypt to beefing with teammates over routes (see: the infamous “red line” dig at Mike Williams), Rodgers was a walking distraction.

Throw in his weekly Pat McAfee appearances, conspiracy-adjacent tangents, and the laughable Vice Presidential speculation, and it’s no wonder the new Jets regime wasted little time showing him the door.

Fields, by contrast, has been everything Rodgers wasn’t. He doesn't dominate headlines. He's just a quarterback who shows up, goes to work, and seems genuinely focused on winning over his new team.

Brian Costello of the New York Post reported this week that Fields has been quietly earning the respect of his teammates and coaches behind the scenes. Head coach Aaron Glenn praised his leadership, while offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand called him “humble” and “a sponge."

Will that translate into wins? Maybe, maybe not. Fields has plenty to prove after an up-and-down stint in Chicago and a redemption tour in Pittsburgh that was cut short, and the Jets aren’t exactly loaded with expectations this year.

But after two seasons dominated by Rodgers' off-field distractions, Fields offers something Jets fans haven’t seen in a while. He gives this fan base a quarterback who might actually be easy to root for. He doesn’t need to be perfect. Heck, just normal would be a welcome change.

And in that way, the Jets may have already upgraded. The Aaron Rodgers era ended with a whimper, not a bang. The Fields era, however long it lasts, might at least bring some peace, and maybe, if things break right, a little hope.

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