New Jets GM Darren Mougey said on Sunday afternoon at the NFL Annual Meetings that Justin Fields will be the team’s starting quarterback -- but that doesn’t mean he won’t have to earn his spot still.
Head coach Aaron Glenn said on Monday morning that no matter what the depth chart says, everybody is going to be competing for their opportunity.
“Just because you’re No. 1 on the depth chart, that’s all written in pencil,” he said. “This league is about competition — and the elite athletes thrive on that. Just because he’s quarterback one doesn’t mean that Tyrod [Taylor] isn’t gonna be on his heels.
“You have to have a depth chart, that’s league rules -- but there’s going to be competition. He knows that, Tyrod knows that, and that’s across the board. Every position on this team is going to be competition.”
With that being said, Glenn also took time to praise the skillset Fields brings to this group.
The long-time Detroit Lions defensive coordinator is plenty familiar with how capable a playmaker Fields is with his legs -- as he put together three of his biggest rushing performances against that group earlier in his career.
But where Glenn feels he has the most untapped potential, is as a passer.
“Obviously we want to utilize his legs, but we also want him to play quarterback,” he said. “That’s what he’s always wanted to do -- I’m not saying he hasn’t had a chance to do that in other places, but I know what I want to do with that player.
“This offseason we’re going to allow him during OTAs to go out there and run an offense, and we’re going to make sure we surround him with the right type of people to make him successful — he’s a dynamic player and I think there’s more we can get out of him.”
In order to do that, Fields will be working with a wide receivers room that features one of his former college teammates, Garrett Wilson.
While that didn’t necessarily play a factor in Gang Green deciding to bring the 23-year-old into town, Glenn admitted that the chemistry the two have from their days dominating with the Buckeyes will certainly be a plus.
“I think that helps,” he said. “It really was just about trying to get the player I wanted to run the team and it just so happened that they were teammates -- Garrett is a dynamic player and I’m looking forward to getting him the ball as much as possible.”