Justin Fields arrived in New York on a two-year, $40 million deal and the considerable burden of succeeding Aaron Rodgers. Saturday evening, however, did not fill anyone with confidence. In the Jets’ 31-12 preseason defeat to the Giants, Fields was 1 of 5 for 4 yards on two series. The offense relied heavily on the ground attack with 13 carries for 55 yards, and Fields’ solitary scramble – a five-yard gain – actually surpassed his passing output. For a fan base eager to be reassured that their new quarterback could shore up the offense, the performance had more questions than answers.

When asked subsequently whether he would play in the last preseason game, Fields did not campaign for extra action. Rather, he shrugged: “That’s not my decision. Ultimately, it’s up to coach.” The response was simple but revealing. Fields is contractually obligated as the starter, but his emphasis conveyed the reality that his employment security rests in the judgments of Aaron Glenn. It was more acceptance than confidence, the type of reaction that leaves you questioning how much trust really is being placed in the quarterback and coaching staff.

The lack of weapons in the passing attack didn’t happen overnight. Fields and the Jets have not been consistent all offseason. Throughout training camp, Fields took shots downfield very infrequently, opting for checkdowns and short completions instead. That continued against the Giants. Following the modest attempt to hit rookie tight end Mason Taylor with his first pass of the night. Fields proceeded with three straight incompletions to freeze the first drive. The subsequent series also presented the same refrain: methodical runs until a third-down misfire to Garrett Wilson which forced the Jets to settle for a field goal. It was safe but unsatisfying.

Fireworks-hungry fans were left disappointed. Fields and the offensive starters departed early, leaving Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook to mop up the remainder. Martinez threw for 114 yards but also an interception. While Cook tallied a fourth-quarter touchdown to rookie Quentin Skinner. Despite all the wheeling and dealing, there was one thing that remained the same: the Jets’ passing attack. Whether under Fields or his backups, it looked more like an afterthought than a weapon. And that’s a hard pill to swallow in a league where big-play action rules the day.

Blame of the Jets’ loss

When the dust settled on that 31–12 Giants victory over the Jets during the preseason, the stat sheet spoke a blunt truth: Justin Fields had a bad night. Completing only one of five attempts for  four yards. It wasn’t just a dud of a performance, it also raised some eyebrows among fans, coaches, and analysts alike. Preseason is not the Super Bowl not even close to it but for a quarterback taken in with a $40 million contract and hyped to be the savior of this offense, those kinds of numbers are pricey. This was no “dress rehearsal” performance, it was more of a miss.

There’s also a larger theme at play. The Jets did not sign Fields to make checkdowns and handoffs. They signed him to produce explosive plays, stretch the field, challenge defenses with his legs and arm. But against the Giants, the offense felt like Groundhog Day: it was again and again the run game that was shouldering the load, even outproducing Fields’ passing. Now some familiar questions arises : is he the anchor weighing down this offense, or is the system asking him to use athleticism while withholding from him his arm?

It behooves us to remember what the Jets are building around Fields. They drafted him because he is their future. A bridge from the quarterback carousel of the last couple of years to an actual solution. That’s on the table now. If Fields is unable to turn the script around by Week 1 in Pittsburgh, Buffalo-sized questions will start echoing in the press boxes and across the fan base. For now, the defense seems strong. The running game seems built for greatness, and the roster is polished. Without quarterback play to complement the investment, all that potential would evaporate as quickly as the preseason.