Justin Skyler Fields Bio
Justin Skyler Fields is an American professional football quarterback currently playing for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Born on March 5, 1999, in Kennesaw, Georgia, Fields has established himself as one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in professional football. He was selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears and has since played for the Pittsburgh Steelers before joining the Jets in 2025. Fields is notable for setting the NFL single-game regular season record for quarterback rushing yards and becoming one of only three NFL quarterbacks to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his exceptional athleticism, leadership, and ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs.
Early Life and Background
Fields grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia, where he attended Harrison High School. During his two years as the starting quarterback for the Harrison Hawks, Fields accumulated 4,187 passing yards with 41 touchdowns through the air, while also contributing 2,096 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns on the ground. His exceptional high school performance earned him recognition as Mr. Georgia Football by the Touchdown Club of Atlanta and first-team all-state honors. Prior to his senior year in 2017, Fields attended the Elite 11 quarterback competition and was named MVP of the event, signaling his potential as a future college star.
In addition to his football achievements, Fields was also a standout baseball player for Harrison High School. His senior season was documented in the second season of the Netflix series QB1: Beyond the Lights, which followed elite high school quarterbacks on their journey to college football. Despite suffering a broken finger late in his senior year that required season-ending surgery, Fields finished his high school career as one of the most decorated prospects in Georgia history.
Path to American Football
Fields entered college as a five-star recruit, rated as the highest-rated dual-threat quarterback in the class of 2018 by ESPN, Rivals.com, and 247Sports.com. He initially committed to Penn State before withdrawing that commitment and instead choosing to attend the University of Georgia in October 2017. At Georgia, Fields was rated as the top recruit overall by ESPN, while Rivals and 247Sports ranked him second nationally behind fellow quarterback Trevor Lawrence. His decision to stay in-state and play for the Bulldogs marked the beginning of his collegiate career at the highest level of college football.
Following an injury to his non-throwing shoulder, Fields decided to transfer from Georgia to Ohio State. He sought a waiver from the NCAA to play immediately rather than sitting out for a year due to transfer rules. With the help of attorney Thomas Mars, Fields successfully argued for immediate eligibility based on documented mitigating circumstances. On February 8, 2019, the NCAA granted Fields immediate eligibility for the 2019 season, allowing him to begin his journey with the Buckeyes without delay.
Justin Skyler Fields Career
College Career at Georgia (2018)
Fields began his collegiate career at the University of Georgia in 2018, serving as the backup to starting quarterback Jake Fromm. He made his debut in the season opener against Austin Peay, completing seven of eight passes for 75 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown pass to Isaac Nauta in the 45-0 victory. Throughout the 2018 season, Fields appeared in 12 games, totaling 328 passing yards with four touchdowns and 266 rushing yards with four touchdowns on the ground. His most productive performance came against UMass, where he threw for 121 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 100 yards.
After Georgia lost to Alabama in the 2018 SEC Championship Game, Fields announced his decision to transfer to Ohio State. His brief time at Georgia laid the foundation for his development as a dual-threat quarterback, though he sought a program where he could take on a larger starting role and showcase his full abilities at the collegiate level.
Ohio State Breakthrough (2019-2020)
Fields’ first season with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2019 proved to be a breakthrough year. He helped lead the team to a Big Ten Championship with a 34-21 victory over Wisconsin and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Fields finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting and was named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference. In the 2019 Fiesta Bowl against Clemson, he threw for 320 yards in the playoff semifinal, though the Buckeyes fell 29-23. For the season, Fields accumulated 3,273 passing yards with 41 touchdowns and just three interceptions, while adding 484 rushing yards and ten touchdowns on the ground.
The 2020 season, played amid the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Fields emerge as a leading Heisman Trophy candidate. He helped lead the Buckeyes to another undefeated regular season and Big Ten Championship with a 22-10 victory over Northwestern. In the College Football Playoff rematch against Clemson, Fields delivered a performance Sports Illustrated dubbed legendary, throwing for 385 yards and six touchdowns in the 49-28 victory. Although Ohio State lost the National Championship to Alabama 52-24, Fields established himself as one of the top quarterbacks in college football. He repeated as the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and unanimous first-team all-conference. On January 18, 2021, Fields announced he would forgo his remaining eligibility and enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
Chicago Bears Era (2021-2023)
Fields was selected 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears, who traded up with the New York Giants to acquire him. He signed a four-year rookie contract worth $18.8 million fully guaranteed on June 10, 2021. Although Fields began the season as the second-string quarterback behind Andy Dalton, he made his NFL debut in the season opener against the Los Angeles Rams, scoring a rushing touchdown on his first professional play. When Dalton suffered a knee injury in Week 2, Fields took over as the starter and never relinquished the role for the remainder of his rookie season.
Fields’ rookie year was marked by inconsistency and learning experiences. He led the Bears to several victories, including a 24-14 win over the Detroit Lions in his second career start. However, he also struggled with turnovers, including a five-turnover performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7. Injuries also plagued his first season, as Fields missed multiple games due to cracked ribs and an ankle injury. He finished his rookie year with 420 rushing yards, the most among rookie quarterbacks, while also leading the league in fumbles lost.
The 2022 season became a turning point for Fields as he set the NFL single-game regular season record for quarterback rushing yards with 178 yards against the Miami Dolphins in Week 9, surpassing Michael Vick’s 20-year record. He became the first NFL player to have three touchdown passes and rush for at least 150 yards in the same game and scored the Bears franchise’s longest quarterback rushing touchdown at 61 yards. Fields finished the season with 1,143 rushing yards, becoming the third NFL quarterback after Vick and Lamar Jackson to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. However, the Bears struggled as a team, finishing with a 3-14 record. In 2023, Fields set career highs in completion percentage at 61.4% and passing yards with 2,562, while throwing a career-low nine interceptions.
Pittsburgh Steelers (2024)
On March 16, 2024, Fields was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Following a preseason quarterback competition with Russell Wilson, Fields began the season as the backup. However, when Wilson reaggravated a calf injury before Week 1, Fields was thrust into the starting role for the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 156 yards with no turnovers and added 57 rushing yards in the 18-10 victory. Fields led the Steelers to three consecutive wins to start his tenure as the starter, completing 73.3% of his passes during that span.
Throughout his first three starts with the Steelers, Fields completed 55 of 75 passes for an average of 6.9 yards per attempt with just one turnover against three total touchdowns. His dynamic play style drew comparisons to former Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart. However, Fields was demoted to backup duties on October 15, 2024, after Wilson’s calf injury healed. Throughout the remainder of the season, Fields was utilized in specific package plays designed around his abilities. He finished the 2024 season completing 65% of his passes for 1,106 yards with ten total touchdowns and just one interception in ten games played.
New York Jets Era (2025-Present)
On March 13, 2025, Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the New York Jets. On March 30, general manager Darren Mougey announced Fields would be the team’s starting quarterback. The Jets organization expressed confidence in Fields as their franchise quarterback and provided him with the opportunity to lead the team in a new direction. His dual-threat abilities were expected to enhance the Jets’ offensive schemes and provide flexibility in playcalling.
Driving Style and Strengths
Fields is renowned for his exceptional dual-threat capability, combining a strong arm with elite mobility. His ability to extend plays with his legs and pick up crucial yards on the ground sets him apart from traditional pocket quarterbacks. Fields possesses excellent speed for his position, allowing him to outrun defenders and break long runs. His rushing prowess has led him to set multiple records, including the NFL single-game regular season record for quarterback rushing yards at 178. His football intelligence and competitive nature have enabled him to perform at a high level in crucial moments, though his development continues as he works to improve his consistency as a passer.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Fields has achieved several notable milestones that highlight his unique skill set. His record-breaking 178-yard rushing performance against the Miami Dolphins in 2022 surpassed Michael Vick’s longstanding record and demonstrated the evolution of quarterback rushing in the NFL. He became one of only three quarterbacks in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. Fields’ college career included two Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year awards and Big Ten Most Valuable Player honors in 2020. His journey from high school star documented on Netflix to NFL starting quarterback represents a remarkable trajectory in professional sports.
Justin Skyler Fields Career Wins
Throughout his NFL career, Fields has accumulated significant victories at the professional level while also achieving success at the collegiate stage. His dual-threat abilities have enabled him to contribute both through the air and on the ground, leading his teams to crucial wins against divisional rivals and playoff contenders. His college career included undefeated regular seasons and conference championships with Ohio State.
NFL Highlights
In the NFL, Fields has demonstrated his ability to lead teams to victory despite facing challenging circumstances. His time with the Chicago Bears included wins against division rivals and notable performances in primetime games. During the 2022 season, Fields led the Bears to victories over the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots on Monday Night Football. With the Steelers in 2024, he orchestrated a three-game winning streak as the starting quarterback, completing over 73% of his passes during that stretch. Fields’ most recent victory came in the 2025 season with the Jets before his season was cut short by injury.
Other Wins and Performances
At the collegiate level, Fields achieved remarkable success with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He led the team to back-to-back Big Ten Championships in 2019 and 2020, including an undefeated regular season in 2020. His victory over Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinal, where he threw for 385 yards and six touchdowns, stands as one of his most impressive performances. In high school, Fields was named Mr. Georgia Football and led Harrison High to significant victories, accumulating over 4,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards in his career.
Justin Skyler Fields Family
Family Background
Fields comes from an athletic family with notable achievements in multiple sports. His sister, Jaiden Fields, played college softball for Georgia, while his youngest sister, Jessica Fields, plays college basketball for Michigan. The Fields family has established themselves as a athletic dynasty in Georgia, with Justin representing the football branch of their sporting endeavors. His family’s support has been instrumental throughout his journey from high school star to professional quarterback.
Personal Life
Fields is a Christian and has spoken openly about his faith throughout his career. He was diagnosed with epilepsy as a freshman in high school, a condition that became public during his pre-draft interviews with NFL teams in 2021. Despite this health challenge, Fields has maintained his dedication to football and excellence in his profession. He achieved academic success as well, scoring a 29 on his ACT and maintaining a 3.9 grade point average in high school. Fields graduated with a degree in consumer and family financial services from Ohio State in May 2023. He follows a pescetarian diet and continues to maintain a healthy lifestyle that supports his demanding professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a new chapter in Fields’ career as he joined the New York Jets as their starting quarterback. Signed to a two-year, $40 million contract in March, Fields was immediately named the starter by general manager Darren Mougey. The Jets organization invested significant resources in Fields, believing his dual-threat abilities could elevate the team’s offensive performance. The early portion of the season presented challenges as the team adjusted to their new quarterback and offensive system.
Fields faced difficulties during the early stretch of the 2025 season, including a performance against the Denver Broncos in Week 6 where he threw for only 45 yards in what was described as one of the worst passing performances in Jets history. Owner Woody Johnson publicly criticized Fields’ play following the team’s 0-7 start to the season, creating additional pressure on the quarterback. Despite the challenges, Fields showed resilience, leading the Jets to back-to-back victories over the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns before the team lost to the New England Patriots.
The Jets ultimately decided to bench Fields in favor of Tyrod Taylor for their Week 12 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. After dealing with knee soreness, Fields was subsequently ruled out for the team’s Week 14 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. He was placed on injured reserve on December 23, ending his season prematurely. Despite the difficult season, Fields continued to work on his game and remained focused on his long-term development as a professional quarterback. His career trajectory demonstrates both his exceptional athletic abilities and the challenges of adapting to new offensive systems in the NFL.