When Justin Fields stepped onto the Jets’ practice facility this offseason, the shadows of Aaron Rodgers still clung to the place not only in legend but in the residue of leadership. Last season, for both Fields and Rodgers, it turned out to be a fractured season characterized by star talent, inconsistent accountability, and another playoff failure. However, this year, Fields has stepped up to replace the veteran, wearing new cleats, saying, “The toe is ready to go” for a new shift.

With Rodgers out and first-year head coach Aaron Glenn guiding a cultural overhaul, Fields isn’t just adapting, he’s aligning. Justin Fields, brought in this offseason, had his first public words as a Jets player on an appearance on Up & Adams. Though the subject deviated toward his rehab from a minor toe injury, Fields diverted the spotlight to the larger issue.

A cultural reboot on behalf of everyone on the team, under the leadership of Glenn. “We’re definitely trying to reset the culture on here,” Justin Fields said to Kay Adams. “I believe AG’s done a wonderful job accomplishing that—physicality of the team, the reps they’re receiving with full-on tackling. It’s certainly good for the guys.” No rhetorical flair. No passive nod to the Rodgers era. But the signal was clear: Fields is all in on a reward-based rebuild, and that wasn’t an accident.

This public support follows on the heels of some of the changes Glenn made as soon as he arrived on board in January. A no-nonsense former defensive coordinator with the Lions, Glenn established one clear standard: toughness and consistency over pedigree. At spring and summer camp, that philosophy has manifested itself. Glenn brought live tackling back to practice. An approach that had been mostly missing under the former staff began tracking penalties, mental reps, and daily wins with accountability.

“We’re addressing chronic penalty issues,” Glenn said during an early-July presser. “We’ve been one of the most penalized teams in the league for years. That’s going to stop.” That emphasis has struck a chord with more than just Fields alone. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson just complimented the camp’s competitiveness, saying even minor wins in practice are now quantified with “real emotional weight.” Players, especially young ones such as Jermaine Johnson and Tony Adams, have echoed the compliment. But it’s Fields’ alignment with Glenn that carries special significance, particularly considering the quarterback’s background.

Last year, Fields was still experimenting with his identity. He flashed glimpses of 1,106 rushing yards but stayed volatile as a passer. In March, when the Jets brought him in, it was not only a quarterback shift but a cultural one. And Fields seems poised to take on that responsibility. After sitting out briefly with a dislocated toe, Fields came back in a hurry and promptly orchestrated a high-productivity red zone session.

The Rodgers comparison remains unavoidable. This time last year, Rodgers was the narrative, the expectation, and the spotlight. And while his season ended almost as soon as it began, his presence lingered over the locker room. It described a team with “uneven accountability” where veteran voices commanded priority and younger talent was left to find its place quietly. By calling for Glenn’s system, he’s breaking away from that legacy method. There’s no sense that Fields is stepping in with a chip on his shoulder, but he’s not riding the reputation either. While his predecessor had nothing to prove, Fields has something to prove and is opting to do it within the confines of a system that requires effort and earns respect.

Glenn’s culture shift for Justin Fields’ team!

Aaron Glenn’s arrival hasn’t merely altered the tone; it’s reshaped the team’s everyday process. The staff, along with new GM Darren Mougey, has implemented a revolving depth chart where no job is safe. Snap counts in practice change every day. Meeting rooms are all about tape study and not name value. The days of “earned, not given” are no longer theoretical; it’s visible.

For Glenn, too, the change is mandatory. In an interview this month, he stated: “We want to create our own narrative, we want to write our own book. When it’s all said and done, this is going to be a book that a lot of people would like to read.” Glenn knows what he wants from the team.

But it’s not gonna be easy. The last six coaches? All walked away with losing records. Rex Ryan was the last one to take them to the playoffs, and that was way back in 2010. Glenn knows the pain. He doesn’t need a history book to feel it. In fact, that’s part of why he wanted this job. The struggle, the heartbreak, it pulled him in. He wants to finish what his mentor, Bill Parcells, nearly did in ’98 when they were just minutes from the Super Bowl. And Glenn’s not pretending to be someone he’s not. He’s tough. He’s direct.

Some might not like his edge, but he’s got a plan. And he’s not backing off it. Nobody’s complained. Not yet. Linebacker Quincy Williams even told him, “Coach, the reason I know things are changing is because there’s no bitching about anything as far as how we do things.” Right now, it’s that hopeful beginning. The honeymoon phase. But Glenn? He’s here for more than just a good start.

For a Jets squad that lost seven one-score contests in 2024, the solution isn’t more flash. It’s less excuse. Glenn has set this team up to be about tight execution, emotional discipline, and player-driven accountability. Fields, meanwhile, is branding himself for public consumption along the same lines as a tone-setter.

This change doesn’t come with wins. Glenn understands that. So does Fields. But two years of chaos later, the Jets aren’t attempting to win the offseason; they’re attempting to redefine themselves. In Fields, they might have finally found a quarterback who is not seeking a legacy but assisting in building one.