Can Justin Fields Make History as the Jets’ First Super Bowl-Era MVP?

The New York Jets are one of seven NFL franchises that have never produced an NFL MVP in the Super Bowl era, which spans the past 59 years. Even teams with long reputations for losing, such as the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears, have had at least one MVP winner in that span. The Jets, however, remain without one—even Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath never won the award. As the 2025 NFL season approaches, one name has emerged as a potential candidate to change that: Justin Fields.

Grant Gordon of NFL Media made the case that Fields could end this decades-long MVP drought for New York. Gordon pointed out that Fields, who was selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Bears, is now with his third NFL team in as many seasons. During his time in Chicago, Fields demonstrated a level of rushing ability from the quarterback position that Gordon described as more dynamic than any player at the position other than Lamar Jackson. Gordon suggested that if Fields can recapture that rushing form, perform efficiently in Tanner Engstrand’s offense, and guide the Jets to their first playoff appearance since the 2010 season, an MVP bid might be possible.

Fields’ current MVP odds are +10000, as listed by online sportsbooks including DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM. This corresponds to an implied probability of 0.6%, which has not changed in recent weeks. The league’s MVP favorites include Lamar Jackson at +550, Josh Allen at +600, Joe Burrow at +750, and Patrick Mahomes at +800. Fields is also listed at +20000 to win the Offensive Player of the Year award, according to BettingPros.

Fields’ 2025 season prop bets, available on DraftKings, include an over/under of 14.5 passing touchdowns (with the under slightly favored at –120) and 2,550.5 passing yards (–110 on both sides). These projections align with modest production expectations. For context, in his most recent 13 games—six with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 and seven with the Bears in 2023—Fields completed 63.3% of his passes, threw 10 touchdown passes and had four interceptions. During that same span, he rushed 132 times for 651 yards and scored eight rushing touchdowns.

His individual season bests across his career include a 65.8% completion rate (2024), 2,562 passing yards (2023), and 1,143 rushing yards (2022). The statistical average of the last five MVP-winning quarterbacks includes 4,214 passing yards, a 36-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio, a 68% completion rate, 392 rushing yards, and five rushing touchdowns. If Fields were to reach those numbers in 2025, they would rank as the best single-season performances in Jets history for a quarterback in passing yards, touchdowns, and touchdown-to-interception ratio. He would also rank second in single-season completion percentage (minimum 12 games started), second in rushing yards for a Jets quarterback, and tied for fourth in rushing touchdowns.

Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets prior to the 2025 season. He participated in the team’s off-season program and was present at minicamp in Florham Park, New Jersey, on June 11, 2025. During this time, Fields focused on becoming a leader within the organization. He stated that he sensed players were looking for someone to step into that role on offense and was glad to take on the responsibility. He also said he has been pushing teammates daily to perform at their best and meet the team’s standards.

Fields’ leadership style has drawn praise from his teammates and coaching staff. Head coach Aaron Glenn described Fields as possessing “quiet confidence” and said he appreciates Fields’ authenticity. Glenn noted that players are quick to recognize inauthentic behavior and that Fields’ personality is genuine. Wide receiver Garrett Wilson, who played with Fields at Ohio State, said players had approached him in the locker room to praise Fields. Wilson said that while Fields takes time to get to know people, once connections are made, “this dude is super cool.”

Running back Breece Hall commented that Fields’ age, 26 years old, helps him relate to teammates more easily than his predecessor, Aaron Rodgers, who was 41 during his final NFL season. Hall said that Fields gets excited like everyone else, talks about the same things as his teammates, and spends time with them outside of football. Fields also organized off-field activities during the spring to build relationships with teammates.

Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said that Fields’ progress in 2024 was noticeable. Fields started six games for the Steelers and won four of them. Engstrand observed that Fields was continuing to gain experience and that his growth was apparent in his recent performances. Expressing his confidence in Fields’ development, Engstrand said that the quarterback’s attributes were “real” and the staff was excited to begin working with him in the new system.

Tight end Jeremy Ruckert, another former teammate from Ohio State, mentioned Fields’ mental toughness and competitiveness. Ruckert recalled Fields arriving on campus at Ohio State from Georgia and immediately displaying focus and seriousness. Ruckert said Fields’ athleticism is evident, but what stands out most is his resilience. According to Ruckert, Fields “wants the pressure” and is well-suited for both the Jets and the New York market.

Fields has not publicly guaranteed anything regarding his 2025 season, and the team has not made bold declarations about postseason goals. However, his current position as the Jets’ starting quarterback, his on-field progress over the last two seasons, and his integration into the team’s culture have all contributed to a sense of cautious optimism within the organization. While his +10000 MVP odds suggest that expectations remain modest, Fields is currently the team’s best candidate to end a historic drought that dates back to the start of the Super Bowl era.