Jets QB Justin Fields Opens Up About Emotional Struggles After First Win
The New York Jets celebrated a long-awaited victory against the Cincinnati Bengals, marking a significant moment for quarterback Justin Fields. The game, held at Paycor Stadium on October 26, saw the Jets rally to secure their first win of the season after a week filled with internal challenges.
“I’m going to get pretty vulnerable right here,” Fields expressed to reporters post-game, revealing a deeply personal moment. “This week, I found myself in my closet crying on the ground. Laying down. Not because of the hardships, not because of the troubles. I felt like I was built to handle that and I was put in place to handle this situation.”
At 26 years old, Fields reflected on the emotional toll of the Jets’ seven-game losing streak, describing it as “a lot” to manage both “emotionally and spiritually.” His performance against the Bengals was a testament to his resilience; he completed 21 of 32 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown.
“When I was on the field, I was damn near about to start crying,” he admitted. “Not because we won, but just because of the goodness of God.” Fields emphasized gratitude for the support he received from teammates, family, and friends throughout this challenging period.
A text from his sister and stepmom during the week served as a beacon of encouragement. “It was an encouraging text [about], ‘Just keep going and keep spreading the faith,’” he shared, highlighting how vital such messages were in maintaining his focus.
The backdrop of this victory was not without controversy. Jets owner Woody Johnson had previously commented on Fields’ performance amid the team’s struggles. “It’s hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that we’ve got,” Johnson stated on October 21, acknowledging Fields’ potential but noting a disconnect in performance.
Fields addressed Johnson’s remarks during his postgame comments, stating, “I get that he’s the owner of the team, but that’s outside noise. The biggest thing was my teammates still believing in me, my coaches still believing in me, and God.”
Jets safety Isaiah Oliver observed the pressure weighing on Fields but praised his ability to remain focused. “It seemed like the world was kind of crashing in around him, and he just went out there with football in his mind, locked in, played a hell of a game and led us to the win,” Oliver noted. He added that Fields maintained his vocal presence during practice despite the surrounding turmoil.
With a bye week ahead, the Jets are poised to build on this momentum as they prepare to host the Cleveland Browns on November 9, aiming for their first winning streak of the season.
