New York Jets Begin OTAs With Justin Fields Facing Protection Challenges

The New York Jets have begun their offseason activities with young quarterback Justin Fields taking center stage during OTAs, marking a new chapter after the team moved on from veteran Aaron Rodgers. Fields showed flashes of potential in the seven-on-seven drills with accurate deep passes to receivers like Garrett Wilson and Allen Lazard, but struggled during full-team periods, where the Jets' defense sacked him six times in ten dropbacks and he missed an open receiver on a critical play. Despite mixed reviews and some harsh criticism questioning Fields' status as a franchise quarterback, the Jets have committed to him with a two-year, $40 million contract, hoping he can develop within a promising offense. The offensive line, bolstered by first-round pick Armand Membou and other young talent, will be crucial to Fields' success, as protection breakdowns were evident in early practices. Membou expressed excitement about working with Fields and praised the overall quality of the Jets' offensive unit. The Jets aim to improve on last season's 5-12 record by building around Fields and their young roster, though skepticism remains about their postseason prospects if Fields does not perform well.