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Look, the Justin Fields signing could work out just fine for the Jets. Nobody knows how it’s going to turn out.
However, one angle that people are pushing you should proceed with caution on is that this move will please Jets receiver Garrett Wilson because they played together at Ohio State.
This might be fool’s gold.
He might be thrilled now, but will that elation continue into the season if he’s missing him when he’s open? Remember, Fields is an electric athlete with world-class speed and a rocket arm, but he’s not known for having the best field vision.
He hasn’t been the best progression guy in the past.
And a quote people keep using to support their argument that the move thrilled Wilson is from three years ago.
Wilson was asked at the 2022 scouting combine if he’d like to reunite with Fields in Chicago. Field was a Bears first-round pick in 2021.
“If that would happen, that would be awesome,” Wilson said. “I haven’t really thought about where I’d be playing. Anywhere would be a blessing. Definitely, to link back up with Justin — and to do that on the NFL level — would be a dream come true, for sure.”
Not sure what critical thinker asked that question, but it didn’t make a ton of sense since the Bears didn’t have a first-round pick in the 2022 draft, and it was highly unlikely they were going to send a truckload of picks to move up to get a receiver.
And what did you expect Wilson to say when asked that question – “Nah, I don’t want to play with him, he’s not great at throwing with anticipation or manipulating defensive backs with his eyes.”
I’m always amazed how how people run wild with these “what do you expect him to say” quotes.
Also, the quote was from three years ago. Wilson is a smart guy. You don’t think he saw Fields plays in Chicago and Pittsburgh. You don’t think he saw him often hold the ball too long and take too many sacks?
ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported the following on Sunday:
“Wilson has told friends he’s thrilled with the addition of Fields. It’s no secret that he and Rodgers didn’t see eye to eye last season, but now he has a quarterback he knows and respects.”
He and Rodgers might not have seen “eye to eye last year” but Wilson finished the season with a career-high 101 catches last year.
It’s great that he now has a QB he “knows and respects” but will he get near that 101 catch total this year with a QB who doesn’t see the field as well as Rodgers?
Look, I’m not going to sit here in March and tell you the Fields signing won’t work out well for the Jets.
I have no idea. It could turn out great.
But may the buyer beware on this Wilson is thrilled angle. Let’s see how that ages.
In some ways, Fields is a little similar to Zach Wilson – good arms, good wheels, but too often falls in love with his first read and telegraphs passes there.
Garrett Wilson’s frustration during his time playing with Zach Wilson was palpable.
So let’s pump the breaks on how this move makes Garrett Wilson ecstatic.
Let’s see how that plays out in the games this fall.
That quote from the combine is pretty irrelevant.
Anybody who is frozen in time with their view of a college player, and ignores a ton of NFL film in their current evaluation, won’t last in scouting very long.
March 17, 2025
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