Overview

• General manager Darren Mougey said Fields can follow the late-blooming paths of Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold, noting visible gains in practice and leadership.
• Fields was designated a team captain on Thursday, reinforcing the staff’s commitment heading into Week 1.
• The Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal in March, and they retain flexibility to move on next spring with a June 1 release that would save about $10 million.
• Preseason passing output remained modest at 4-of-9 for 46 yards with no throws beyond nine air yards, though Fields added a 13-yard rushing touchdown.
• Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand praised Fields’ grasp of drop-back concepts as New York leans run-heavy with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen and a receiving corps thin beyond Garrett Wilson after Davante Adams’ release and Josh Reynolds’ arrival.