At Florham Park, the silence says more than any presser ever could. Aaron Rodgers’ era in New York ended with an injury-hit year one, the playoff promise not kept in year two, and a lot of drama. But when Aaron Glenn sat on the helm, he was not letting headlines run. So, that meant he had to go within minutes, and AG sent him packing. “I figured when I flew across country to meet with the Jets, there was gonna be a conversation. We sat down in the office & 20 seconds in the coach said we’re going in a different direction. That’s totally fine, but they could have just told me that on the phone,” Rodgers revealed on The Pat McAfee Show back in April.
And maybe that’s the point Glenn wanted to make. No one’s above the organization. The team that once rolled out the red carpet and basked in the glow of a future Hall of Famer is now more interested in low profiles than prime-time personalities. In a city where Broadway lights never dim, the Jets are pulling the curtains tight. “Move in silence,” Glenn said. And that starts with Justin Fields, who walked into the building wearing a “Humble over Hype” tee and hasn’t said much since. But according to Glenn? That’s exactly the point.
“There’s a quiet confidence about that man that’s unshakable,” Glenn said. “Even though he’s not the most vocal person, he’s active with his body language. He’s active with his one-on-one conversations. If he has to stand in front of the guys and say something, he will. He’s not one of those guys that’s going to talk just to talk, because sometimes if you do that… players around you can get dead head. He says things when it needs to be said.”
DONE DEAL pic.twitter.com/ePd6SH0yIl
— New York Jets (@nyjets) March 13, 2025
Fields doesn’t host Tuesday segments. He hasn’t turned his rehab or roster status into a documentary. And that’s refreshing. Because for a team still licking the wounds of a 5-12 season, silence isn’t just golden—it’s necessary. Fields, now on his third team in three years, is looking for footing. The Jets? Still chasing relevance in a division that doesn’t wait for anyone. Somehow, they might need each other more than they know.
And Glenn? He knows what he saw. As the former Lions defensive coordinator, he spent years trying to contain Fields. Tried—and mostly failed. “He’s doing everything he can to improve, and whatever advantage he can get from coaching, strength and conditioning, being on the field, he’s going to get that,” Glenn said. “He’s going to take that advantage, and he’s going to run with it. So I’m very happy with where he’s at.”
This isn’t about flash. The Jets tried that. Aaron Rodgers brought the hype—and injuries, and dysfunction, and eventually a quiet retreat. Now? They’re betting on something sturdier. Something quieter. Maybe even something better.
The Justin Fields hype is real
Justin Fields isn’t one to rant. He rarely gives the media what they want. But what he doesn’t say? That’s where the story lives. Last year, Fields went 4-2 as the Steelers’ starter, posted career highs in efficiency, and hit a personal low in sack rate. Number-wise, Fields threw for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns and just one interception in those 6 games. During that time, he also rushed for 431 yds and 5 TDs. Progress, finally, no matter how short-lived.
Then came the benching. No warning. Just a clipboard and a front-row seat to Russell Wilson. “It was different for me and a space I wasn’t really comfortable,” he said. That’s Justin Fields-speak for: ‘you’ve got to be kidding me’.
When the offseason rolled around, Pittsburgh actually tried to bring him back. Offered him a deal that reportedly matched what the Jets put on the table—two years, $40 million, $30M guaranteed. Fields didn’t bite. Instead, he followed a familiar face: Aaron Glenn. The new Jets head coach had faced Fields twice a year as Detroit’s DC, and the mutual respect ran deep. “AG… the kind of coach he is, how passionate he is… he knows what it takes,” Fields said. That was enough.
Make no mistake, this wasn’t just about money or minutes. It was about belief. Steelers OC Arthur Smith wanted Fields. Made it clear. “He thought he could get him some playoff wins.” But Fields didn’t feel the same fire coming from upstairs. Not after being benched when he finally started clicking.
Now, with the Jets, he’s calling it a fresh start. It is. But it’s also a chance to prove something. “I’m grateful for all the experiences… I think I’m progressing and getting better each and every year,” he said. The vibe? Quiet confidence.
Week 1, it’s Jets-Steelers. Fields vs. the team that sat him down. And maybe a grudge match for the QBs who swapped jerseys if Aaron Rodgers a Steeler by then. No need to call it revenge. Just know they remember.
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