Latest news with #Jets'
New York Times
6 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Justin Fields is OK. The Jets, for once, avoided disaster. Maybe that means something?
Maybe there's an alternate timeline in which the Jets can get through the summer and early fall without an injury scare to their starting quarterback. In which the fans don't constantly feel like the world is ending, or that they're resigned to their fate: being a Jets fan means you don't get to have nice things. Advertisement The Jets have now gone zero days without a QB incident, the counter resetting on Thursday when Justin Fields threw an incomplete pass and then slowly sat down on the ground, in pain. He limped off the field. He sat on a cart — in the passenger seat — and was taken into the building. Nothing that happened in practice from that point on mattered — not even Tyrod Taylor's perfect throw down the seam to Garrett Wilson during 11-on-11 drills. Then, by some miracle, the apocalypse was called off (or at least postponed). It turns out Fields didn't tear his Achilles, sprain his ankle or even hurt his big toe — he dislocated one of his other toes, the severity unknown beyond the Jets' statement asserting that it's not serious. UPDATE: After medical evaluation, QB Justin Fields sustained a dislocated toe in his right foot and will be day-to-day. Fields avoided serious injury and significant missed time. — New York Jets (@nyjets) July 24, 2025 Fields might miss some valuable practice time, sure, and when he returns, he might not be a full-go right away. But for once, Jets fans, coaches, players and staff can breathe a sigh of relief and say to themselves: crisis averted. The Jets, historically, haven't been so lucky in these situations. In 1999, Vinny Testaverde tore his Achilles in Week 1. Aaron Rodgers did the same in 2023. In between, there was Chad Pennington (wrist), Mark Sanchez (shoulder), Geno Smith (jaw) and Zach Wilson (knee) suffering injuries in the preseason that knocked them out for regular-season games. Sam Darnold came down with mononucleosis before a Week 2 game in 2019. Each of those quarterbacks started their Jets tenures with a degree of hope, but none lasted long after their early-season injuries. There is some hope, especially in the Jets' building, that Fields has untapped potential, that he can be the quarterback to succeed in a way no Jets quarterback has in the last 14 years — as in, the quarterback to finally get them to the playoffs. He's imperfect, but the Jets believe in him. Losing him to a significant injury in the second practice of training camp would have been devastating. It also would have felt typical. Every Jets fan's mind went there on Thursday morning. Advertisement 'I understand how this league is, and I understand how social media starts to take over and everybody starts to panic,' Jets coach Aaron Glenn said Thursday. 'I understand what the fans go through, I understand what you guys (the media) go through. But it's really early, it's really early — and we have a lot of time.' Cornerback Brandon Stephens said he didn't even realize Fields was carted off. Offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker only noticed when Taylor came in for reps with the starters. Life goes on, even when the quarterback goes down. Jets veterans like Vera-Tucker, who has been here since 2022, know that better than most. For once, the Jets found some semblance of luck — or at least their version of it. By all accounts, Fields is off to a promising start; at the start of spring's OTAs he was holding onto the ball too long, now he's playing with a more decisiveness and authority. He's been winning over teammates and coaches with his approach and work ethic. In the time off between minicamp and the start of training camp, Fields gathered some of the team's receivers in Florida to work on timing, and to bond. Fields losing practice reps in this way isn't ideal, but it's not a death knell. He'll be back soon enough. But forgive Jets fans for freaking out. Glenn feels their pain. He said as much on Wednesday. 'I know what it's like to be a Jet,' said Glenn, who played for the Jets from 1994-2000. 'I know the pain, I know all the things that the fans have been through. I might have been gone from here, but I've never been gone in spirit, so I get it. That sticks with me a ton. 'I understand the pain and I'm hoping, I'm praying — and I expect to make sure that pain goes away. I think about that every day.' Less than 24 hours later, Fields fell to the ground. But the quarterback is OK. The Jets live to fight another day. And fans can breathe easy, at least for a little while.
The Herald Scotland
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Justin Fields injury: Jets QB carted to locker room at training camp
Initial reports indicate that Fields limped off of the field with a trainer to a medical tent before the cart came to take him back to the locker room. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn is scheduled to speak to the media after practice ends. Fields was one of the Jets' biggest free agent signings of the offseason, representing a new face under center for the team's new regime after Gang Green released veteran Aaron Rodgers. SAUCE GARDNER CONTRACT DETAILS: Jets agree to $120.4 million extension with star CB Fields was slated to be the Jets' starting quarterback prior to his injury. Depending on the severity of Fields' injury, the Jets may have to hold a competition for the starting job between the other three quarterbacks on their roster. Here's who New York currently has under contract: Fields signed with the Jets in free agency after spending one year with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He went 4-2 in six starts for Pittsburgh last year before Russell Wilson's return from injury relegated him to a backup role. Taylor signed a two-year deal with New York prior to the 2024 season. He played in two games for them last year - Week 1 and Week 17 - both in relief of Rodgers in garbage time. The Jets are the seventh team for the 35-year-old journeyman. Martinez joined the Jets last year after winning the UFL league MVP and UFL Championship MVP during the 2024 spring football season. He spent the fall on the Jets' practice squad and re-signed with Gang Green on a reserve/future contract in January. Cook signed with New York as an undrafted free agent about two weeks after the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft. The Missouri product went 26-13 as a starter during his collegiate career, including an 11-2 2023 season that culminated in a Cotton Bowl Classic win over Ohio State. GARRETT WILSON CONTRACT DETAILS: Jets agree to $130 million extension with star WR Length: Two years Two years Value: $40 million ($20 million AAV) The Jets are paying Fields starting quarterback money for each of the next two seasons. It was the first contract Fields signed as a free agent after his rookie contract expired following the 2024 season. The deal's $20 million average annual value ranks 20th of all NFL quarterbacks this year, behind Baker Mayfield's deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and ahead of Rodgers' with the Steelers. Fields is set to make nearly $6 million more than Rodgers will make this year in the Steel City. This story will be updated.
New York Post
14 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Alijah Vera-Tucker wants the Jets responsibility — and the future that comes with it
Alijah Vera-Tucker watched last week as Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner landed a combined $250.4 million worth of extension money to become cornerstones of this next Jets era. And Thursday, head coach Aaron Glenn called Vera-Tucker — whose 2025 campaign, as of now, will double as a contract year, with the right guard on his fifth-year option — 'absolutely' a foundational piece and expressed a hope for contract talks to begin at some point. Advertisement Vera-Tucker has tried to let his agent handle the future and focus on maximizing a training camp where he's finally healthy, but he also agreed with the belief Wilson and Gardner echoed that the Jets can reverse their disappointing trajectory from past seasons. 'It'd be great to stay with the team that drafted me,' Vera-Tucker said. 'I feel like everybody feels that way. … I can see this thing turning around, for sure, especially with Glenn, the type of coach he is. He praises physicality, but even more, like, accountability. I think that's very important for a head coach to do. That's something I haven't seen as much of in my career.' Still, there are variables that need to align in order for Vera-Tucker's long-term deal to materialize. Season-ending injuries — a torn triceps and Achilles — derailed the former first-round pick's 2022 and 2023 seasons, respectively. 3 Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker speaks to the media after practice at training camp in Florham Park, NJ on July 24. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Advertisement He dropped the classic training camp line of 'best I've ever felt coming off of an offseason,' but in Vera-Tucker's scenario, it might actually be a legitimate claim. He finished 2024 as one of six guards with run- and pass-blocking grades higher than 74.0, according to Pro Football Focus, and logged all 916 of his snaps at right guard after needing to switch positions in previous seasons. 3 Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) blocks during practice at training camp on July 24. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Advertisement This year, though, the Jets' roles on the line are more solidified. They invested two more first-round selections to land both of their tackles in Olu Fashanu (2024) and Armand Membou (2025), and the trio will be tasked with helping protect Justin Fields — who exited Thursday's practice with a right toe injury — or Tyrod Taylor, who will take the first-team reps until Fields returns. 'We want the responsibility on our shoulders,' Vera-Tucker said. 'We want to run the ball. We want to be dominant in the trenches, like any other offensive line. But I think when you put together an O-line like this, you gotta take advantage of that opportunity. You don't see many teams invest in the O-line like we have.' 3 Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) and offensive tackle Armand Membou (70) practice at training camp. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Advertisement Get the insider's view on Gang Green Sign up for Inside the Jets by Brian Costello, a weekly Sports+ exclusive. Thank you Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Check out more newsletters Throughout most of Vera-Tucker's career, the Jets' line has been in shambles, but for once, the group — with Vera-Tucker as the anchor — has a chance to be a strength. And if Glenn and Vera-Tucker get their wish, he'll become the next piece of Gang Green's long-term future. 'He's one of those guards that can do a lot as far as run off the ball for us, pass protect,' Glenn said. 'He's a big, strong man that has been critical for how we want to play offensive football.'
New York Post
16 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Garrett Wilson gets the best of Sauce Gardner in high-priced Jets camp showdown
Observations from the Jets' training camp practice on Thursday. Stars Burst Tyrod Taylor came in for the injured Justin Fields firing deep passes and connected with Garrett Wilson down the seam against Sauce Gardner. Wilson had been matched up mostly against Brandon Stephens, but the battle between the two stars who just received big contract extensions was a highlight. Advertisement Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) runs a drill during practice. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Brandon Smith also made a great diving catch from Taylor. Cook Burned QB Brady Cook — who is No. 2 on the depth chart while Fields is sidelined — threw a pair of interceptions. Advertisement He sailed a pass over Pokey Wilson's head and into the arms of Jarius Monroe and was high on a pass that went off the intended target's hands and was intercepted by Marcelino McCrary-Ball. Caught My Eye Safety Andre Cisco has only 1.5 sacks in his career, but he was in the backfield to blow up a play before Fields was injured. It's likely that Cisco and edge Micheal Clemons would've combined on a sack of the scrambling quarterback. Advertisement IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Injury Report Fields suffered a dislocated toe. … Edge Jermaine Johnson won't be rushed off the Physically Unable to Perform List and into practice after last season's torn Achilles. 'We have a plan for him,' head coach Aaron Glenn said. 'I told him, 'It's not about Week 1. It's not about Week 2. It's about the longevity of his career.'
Fox Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
There are 5 first-time NFL head coaches this season and they each face distinct challenges
Associated Press FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Aaron Glenn has been mapping out exactly how he wants to lead an NFL team for a few years. Before he was hired as the New York Jets' head coach in January, Glenn spent four seasons as the Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator and was empowered by coach Dan Campbell to make some crucial calls for the team off the field. 'He allowed me to actually act in the position of being the head coach,' Glenn said. 'To be able to do the calendar for the offseason, plan training camp out, be able to make decisions that he was supposed to make. "But he allowed me to make those decisions to get me ready to be in this position.' Glenn, a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback during a 15-year playing career, is charged with trying to turn around the fortunes of a Jets franchise that has the NFL's longest playoff drought at 14 seasons. He opened training camp this week as one of five first-time head coaches in the league, joining Jacksonville's Liam Coen, Chicago's Ben Johnson, New Orleans' Kellen Moore and Dallas' Brian Schottenheimer. All five are long-time assistants who now each face distinct challenges and must balance the responsibilities of managing an entire roster and staff instead of focusing on one particular side of the football. Aaron Glenn, Jets Age: 53 Background: Jets' first-round pick (No. 12 overall) in 1994 out of Texas A&M. Played eight seasons for New York before three with Houston, two with Dallas and one each with Jacksonville and New Orleans. After retiring from playing, Glenn served as the general manager of the Houston Stallions of the indoor Texas Lone Star Football League in 2012 before being hired as a personnel scout with the Jets later that year. He then had stints as an assistant with Cleveland, New Orleans and Detroit. Task: He and new GM Darren Mougey focused on making the Jets' roster younger, parting ways with veterans such as QB Aaron Rodgers, WR Davante Adams, LB C.J. Mosley, K Greg Zuerlein and P Thomas Morstead. Glenn, who considers his former coach Bill Parcells a mentor, spoke often during the offseason about changing the Jets' culture. Ending their long postseason drought will help and there's key foundational talent — WR Garrett Wilson, CB Sauce Gardner, RB Breece Hall, DT Quinnen Williams, edge rusher Jermaine Johnson — but the youth movement could temper some first-year expectations. Liam Coen, Jaguars Age: 39 Background: Played quarterback at UMass. Spent last season as Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator before being hired by Jacksonville in January to replace the fired Doug Pederson. Coen had two stints with the Los Angeles Rams, including serving as Sean McVay's offensive coordinator in 2022. He also had college stops as an assistant at Brown, Rhode Island, UMass, Maine and Kentucky. Task: His awkward Jaguars intro — 'Duuuval' — went viral, but Coen was hired for his offensive prowess after he helped Baker Mayfield to the best season of his career with the Buccaneers. Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, has not yet fully lived up to expectations and that will be the focus for Coen, who'll call the plays, and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski. Adding versatile No. 2 pick Travis Hunter to the offense (and defense) should help Lawrence and a franchise that has just one playoff appearance in the past seven seasons. Ben Johnson, Bears Age: 39 Background: A former backup QB at North Carolina, Johnson was Detroit's offensive coordinator the past three years and helped Jared Goff and the Lions lead the league in scoring last season. Johnson's path to the NFL began as an assistant at Boston College before seven seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He joined the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach and was retained by Campbell when he took over as coach in 2020, serving as the tight ends coach and then passing game coordinator before becoming the OC in 2022. Task: The Bears drafted Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft and Chicago is hoping Johnson will be able to develop the quarterback into a playmaking star. Williams showed promise while starting all 17 games, throwing for a franchise rookie-record 3,541 yard with 20 touchdown passes and six interceptions, but his 68 sacks led the league. Getting Williams to get rid of the ball faster and improve on his accuracy should help, so should GM Ryan Poles' trade acquisitions of guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson to bolster the offensive line. Kellen Moore, Saints Age: 37 Background: A former backup quarterback with Detroit and Dallas over six NFL seasons, Moore was long considered a head coaching candidate during his stops as an offensive coordinator with the Cowboys, Chargers and Eagles. In his only season in Philadelphia, he guided a high-scoring offense that powered the Eagles to the Super Bowl behind quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley. Task: Moore doesn't have the talent-rich roster he had last season. He also isn't quite sure who his quarterback will be after Derek Carr unexpectedly retired in May with a shoulder injury. The Saints drafted Tyler Shough in the second round and also have Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, who each started games last season. The offense has some talent with WR Chris Olave and RB Alvin Kamara, but the defense needs to improve after allowing the second-most yards rushing in the NFL. Brian Schottenheimer, Cowboys Age: 51 Background: The son of the late Marty Schottenheimer was a bit of a surprise pick by Jerry Jones to replace Mike McCarthy as Dallas' coach. But the younger Schottenheimer has a lengthy resume in both the pros and at the college level, with stints as an offensive coordinator with the Cowboys, Seahawks, Rams and Jets among them. Task: Schottenheimer will need to build an even better rapport with quarterback Dak Prescott, who played in only eight games last season because of a hamstring injury. The coach also made some headlines during the offseason when he said Prescott is still 'in the developmental phase' of his career and the team is tweaking some things with him. With Philadelphia still among the NFL's elite teams and Washington one of the league's most promising squads, Schottenheimer and the Cowboys will have a tough road to make the playoffs out of the NFC East. That's despite Jones saying he's 'excited about our team's ability to compete right now.' ___ AP NFL: recommended Item 1 of 3
