Jets’ Preseason Collapse Raises Alarms Over Justin Fields and Passing Attack

The New York Jets lost their second preseason game on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at MetLife Stadium by a score of 31-12 to the New York Giants. The result followed a win in their first preseason outing against the Green Bay Packers.

Quarterback Justin Fields, who signed with the Jets in the offseason on a two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million guaranteed, completed 1 of 5 passes for 4 yards against the Giants. He also ran once for 5 yards before being removed after two series. Fields’ first pass was a completion to rookie tight end Mason Taylor. After three consecutive running plays, including a 3-yard run by Braelon Allen on fourth-and-1, Fields threw three incompletions, ending the drive with a punt. On the Jets’ second possession, the offense ran 10 straight plays before Fields threw incomplete to Garrett Wilson on third-and-2. The series ended with a 38-yard Nick Folk field goal.

In total, the Jets ran the ball 13 times for 55 yards with Fields in the game. His passing attempts included the 4-yard completion, three incompletions to end the first drive, and the incompletion to Wilson on the second.

Head coach Aaron Glenn said after the game, “Overall, in general, it wasn’t good enough. I don’t care if it was the starting offense, I don’t care if it was the second-team offense, the third-team offense. I’m just going to say that overall, it wasn’t good enough.” He added, “Listen, I thought we ran the ball fairly well. But overall, I thought we were sloppy. And the guys know that. We had too many dropped passes. Our passing game has to be better, we all know that. And it will be better. But again, we just have to go back to work. That’s what next week is going to be about.”

Fields said, “I think it has to be better. It wasn’t up to our standard. I think you can really just keep it simple and playing like that. I do think we built a great foundation, but like I said, it just wasn’t up to our standard.” When asked about his passing approach, Fields stated, “It’ll come. You know, no need to force it. When you try to force it, that’s when tipped balls, picks happen. So my mindset is always going to be to take what the defense gives me.”

Adrian Martinez replaced Fields and completed 12 of 21 passes for 114 yards with one interception. Brady Cook then entered and finished 6 of 11 for 74 yards and one touchdown. Cook threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to rookie Quentin Skinner, who had four receptions for 48 yards. Braelon Allen carried the ball seven times for 34 yards.

For the Giants, Russell Wilson threw an 80-yard deep pass that set up a score. He also threw an interception.

Through two preseason games, Fields is 4 of 9 for 46 yards with one rushing touchdown. In the preseason opener against the Packers, he completed 3 of 4 passes for 42 yards and ran for a 13-yard touchdown on a 10-play, 79-yard drive.

Sports betting lines and futures have adjusted to these developments. Early Week 1 lines against the Pittsburgh Steelers opened with the Jets listed as a 2.5-point underdog and the total at 39.5. As of mid-August, sportsbooks including DraftKings and BetMGM list the Jets as 3-point underdogs with totals between 38.5 and 39.5. Consensus betting data shows most selections on the Steelers and on the under.

In futures markets, Jets Super Bowl odds have moved from +15000 at some sportsbooks after Fields’ signing to +20000 or longer in mid-August. AFC East odds are between +1700 and +1800. AFC Championship odds are listed between +7500 and +11000. Odds to make the playoffs are around +425, with odds to miss ranging from -600 to -800. Win totals vary by operator, with BetMGM and DraftKings listing 6.5 and Caesars listing 5.5.

Fields’ individual futures include MVP odds of +10000 at DraftKings, +15000 at BetMGM and FanDuel, and +20000 at Caesars. His season-long props are listed with passing yards over/unders of 2550.5 at BetMGM, Caesars, and DraftKings, and 2600.5 at FanDuel; passing touchdowns at 14.5 across all four books; rushing yards at 650.5 at DraftKings and 675.5 at the other three; and rushing touchdowns at 6.5 at BetMGM and 5.5 at the other three.

The Jets’ final preseason game is scheduled for Friday, August 22, against the Philadelphia Eagles. The regular-season opener is set for Sunday, September 7, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.