Justin Fields is entering an arena that many other New York Jets quarterbacks have failed in.
Former Jets first-round QB Mark Sanchez is one of the rare success stories, and he recently visited training camp and imparted some words of wisdom as Fields gets ready to start his journey.
“I love the rushing attack they’re going to have,” Sanchez told Jets editorial contributor Susanna Weir. “They’re going to get a ton of that from [Fields]. Now it’s about picking his spots – when it’s time to take the shot, when it’s time to check it down. And if he can do that — if he can manage that — I think we all know what a dynamic player he can be.”
The Jets Strategy at QB to Win Games
It doesn’t have to be pretty; it just has to be enough to win games.
That strategy worked for Sanchez when he was the starting QB of the Jets.
In his rookie season in 2009, he had a 12 touchdown to 20 interception ratio as a starting quarterback. The Jets won nine games, made the playoffs, and made it to the AFC Championship game.
In Sanchez’s second season in 2010, he finished with an improved 17 touchdown to 13 interception ratio. The Jets won 11 games, made the playoffs, and once again made it to the AFC Championship game.
For Fields, it hasn’t been pretty throughout training camp and the preseason. There has been a lack of a deep passing game and inconsistency in getting Garrett Wilson the ball.
When questioned about it, Fields defended the offensive strategy.
“We’re fine taking 8-yard completions every play, to be honest with you,” Fields told Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic.
Fields told the media that he will take whatever the defense gives him. If that happens to be shorter completions, so be it.
“It’s efficient and it’s getting the defense tired,” Fields explained via Rosenblatt.
Justin Fields on the lack of deep passes: “We’re fine taking 8 yard completions every play, to be honest with you.”
Said he’s always going to take what the defense gives him and he’s fine with that being all shorter passes if it has to be.
“It’s efficient and it’s getting the…
— Zack Rosenblatt (@ZackBlatt) August 19, 2025
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One Part of Fields’ Game Should Unlock Another
No one questions Fields’ ability as a runner. He has the second-most rushing yards of any quarterback in a single season in NFL history.
However, he doesn’t possess the same credentials as a passer at this level.
“His ability to run is unmatched,” Sanchez said via Weir. “He’s one of the top rushing quarterbacks in this league. Still putting together his resume as a passer, but he looked sharp in the [Green Bay] game.”
If the Jets can get the run game going, defenses will have no choice but to respond. That means more bodies will be entering the box and thus opening up things on the backend of the defense.
Fields said he will take what the defense gives him. That could eventually open up the vertical passing game in the Jets’ offense.
One of the Biggest Mysteries of the Jets’ 2025 Season
When head coach Aaron Glenn was hired, the most important selection was his offensive coordinator.
Glenn has a ton of defensive roots as a former player and longtime defensive coach. He needed to balance with the right offensive guy, and he chose Tanner Engstrand from the Detroit Lions tree.
The Lions have proven to be one of the most explosive offenses in football over the last few years. Jets fans are salivating at the chance of having a slice of that in New York.
However, according to Sanchez, the K.I.S.S. model is in play here: keep it simple, stupid.
“You’ve got to play and cater your system to your players, to your personnel,” Sanchez explained via Weir. “If it’s a run-first team, there’s nothing wrong with that. If the quarterback run is a threat, there’s nothing wrong with that. That’s just a section of the playbook. Your playbook might be 12 inches thick, but we only need these 6 right here, and that’s what we’re going to major in.”
The Jets don’t need to overcomplicate it; play the hits. Wash, rinse, and repeat. Find what works and then keep doing it. The Jets don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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