Quarterback Justin Fields can’t seem to escape his old narrative. Back in Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, critics said he held onto the ball too long. Now, in New York Jets, five games in, that habit still lingers. The fifth-year quarterback has great numbers, but the clock is still his biggest opponent. As Week 6 approaches, speculation is heating up, fueled by an analyst highlighting a mounting concern.

On Jets Game Plan, NFL Insider Connor Hughes of SNY broke down Fields’ “Time to Throw” stats with a question. “Is he ever going to be one of the guys, the top 10 guys in the NFL in terms of getting the ball out? No, can you get him to not be last by a wide margin? That’s the concern. When you see the number start with three, for those watching at home, that’s a really long time,” Rogers said.

For perspective, the league’s quickest passers sit around 2.15 to 2.2 seconds. Fields leads the NFL with the average time to throw, clocking in at 3.27 seconds, according to Pro Football Focus.. That’s an eternity in the pocket. “I don’t think he’s confident right now, which is having him, and he knows he can run away from pressure at times, but you got to get the ball out. And I think this is the reality the Jets have to live with right now,” Rogers added. And that’s a major concern for Aaron Glenn. Yes, it showed against Dallas.

Despite a winless start with the Jets, former Ohio State quarterback Fields has excelled statistically. He leads all NFL quarterbacks in rushing yards per game, averaging 51 yards, according to ESPN. Fields is also one of only two starting QBs yet to throw an interception through the first five weeks.

Through the first month of the season, Fields has set new career highs in completion percentage at 67%, average yards per pass at 7.1, and a quarterback rating of 100.1. But even with decent numbers, the tempo never quite clicked. The offense looked stuck in moments, just like their quarterback. Even head coach  Aaron Glenn had to address it.

The New York Jets have struggled mightily this season, sitting at 0-5 and fourth in the AFC East. Despite Fields’ individual play and a strong rushing attack, averaging 144.4 yards per game, the team remains the league’s only winless one.

Turnovers and penalties have repeatedly stalled drives, preventing the offense from complementing the defense. The passing game has been particularly weak, ranking 28th in yards with just 175 per game, while the team sits 19th in scoring at 22.4 points per game.

The Jets have also struggled in key situations, converting only 34.4% on third downs, leaving Fields and the offense unable to sustain drives and find rhythm, especially in critical passing situations.

“I do think we get into a situation where we start to get in a groove, and that’s any quarterback. Justin has been getting in a groove in those situations. I have no issues with where we’re at in the passing game,” Glenn said, downplaying the chatter. While the noise around his playing style keeps growing, Justin Fields isn’t backing down.

Justin Fields fires back at critics

When Connor Hughes of SNY revealed on Jets Final Drive that Fields “right now, no matter where you look, Next Gen, TruMedia, Pro Football Focus, they’re all slightly different on the specific number, but he is last on every single one of those websites in time to throw. What that means is from when he gets the ball in his hands to when he throws the ball, he is taking the longest amount of time from snap to ball.”

When Fields was asked about the critique, he didn’t hesitate to clap back. “I don’t think that’s a credible stat, so to say, if I’m being honest with you a part of the QB position,” Fields said.

Then again, he made sure to explain himself clearly. “My job is to put as many points up on the board, whether that’s the least amount of time to throw … but I feel like that’s not a good indicator because you got guys that scramble and then they account that. So it’s like, yeah, pocket passers are gonna have the least time to throw because they scrambled the least.” Fields explained. And the numbers back him up.

Justin Fields and the Jets’ offense have shown glimpses of potential, notably in the Week 1 win over the Steelers. However, their passing attack has underperformed overall, ranking below the level of play seen last season under Aaron Rodgers, who was released before Fields’ arrival.

If Fields can speed up his release and the offense and defense rally to perform consistently, the Jets could start competing at a higher level. Coach Glenn has his job cut out. For now, though, that goal still seems a long way off. For now, as Week 6 approaches, all eyes are on how Fields keeps answering the critics, not with words, but with wins.