Jets QB Justin Fields doesn't think average time to throw is a 'credible stat'

NEW YORK — At his previous stops in Chicago and Pittsburgh, Justin Fields was criticized for holding the ball too long.

That continues to be the case for the fifth-year quarterback during his first month with the Jets.

When told he has the longest average time to throw in the NFL this season, Fields said he didn’t believe the stat is a good measure of quarterback success.

“I don’t really look at stats if I’m being honest with you,” Fields said. “Yeah, I mean, I didn’t know that. I don’t really, I’m not on social media, so I have no idea.

“My job is to put as many points up on the board, whether that’s the least amount of time to throw … but I feel like that’s not a good indicator because you got guys that scramble and then they account that. So it’s like, yeah, pocket passers are gonna have the least time to throw because they scrambled the least.

“I remember one of my years in Chicago, they said [I was the] longest time to throw too, but at the same time I’m scrambling behind the line of scrimmage. So, of course, they’re going to count that. So, I don’t think that’s a credible stat if I’m being honest with you.”

Fields leads the league with an average time to throw of 3.27 seconds, according to Pro Football Focus. Seven of the 10 times he has been sacked this year have come when Fields has held the ball longer than 2.5 seconds. This also includes both of his fumbles this season.

The play of Fields and the offense in general has played a significant role in the Jets (0-5) being the lone winless team in the league.

Although the Jets are the third-best rushing team this season, averaging 144.4 yards on the ground, that hasn’t translated to victories. Gang Green is not playing complementary football. Fumbles and penalties have often killed Jets’ drives this season and they haven’t had the mental toughness to recover from the mistakes.

Fields has thrown for 754 yards and four touchdowns in four games (he missed Week 3 because of a concussion). He also has rushed for 204 yards and three touchdowns. However, Fields’ stats are misleading because the Jets have been trailing in the fourth quarter in all of their games. Fields has thrown for 298 yards and three TDs in the fourth quarter.

The Jets rank 28th in passing yards (175) and 19th in points per game (22.4). With Fields under center, the Jets offense has had trouble finding a rhythm, especially in long-down passing situations.

When the Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract in March, they believed he could be the latest quarterback to revitalize his career in a new address. Jets coach Aaron Glenn also said they were going to “let him play quarterback” after the Bears and Steelers both leaned on Fields’ athleticism to create plays offensively.

Fields and the Jets’ offense have shown flashes of success, such as during the Steelers’ Week 1 loss. So far, the Jets’ passing attack is worse this season than it was under Aaron Rodgers, who they released ahead of signing Fields.

“I do think we get in a situation where we start to get in a groove a little bit, and that’s any quarterback, and I think Justin has been getting in a groove in that situation also,” Glenn said about Fields’ stats at the end of games. “Earlier in the season, I guess in Pittsburgh, I didn’t think that was the case. Some people might say it, but I didn’t think that was the case.

“Buffalo, listen, we just got our ass whooped against Buffalo. Come back to Tampa, I thought Tyrod [Taylor] did a pretty good job in that game, and I could go on and on, but I understand what the naysayers are saying. I think our guys are doing a pretty good job as far as getting the passing game where it needs to be and then we got to improve, and I know that, and we will improve in that situation. Listen, I have no issues with where we’re at right now in the passing game.”

Johnson could return this week

There’s hope that Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson could return against the Broncos in London this week.

Glenn told reporters on Wednesday that Johnson is day-to-day and the coach is optimistic about his availability. He did not practice on Wednesday.

Johnson has missed the last three games because of an ankle injury he suffered against the Bills in Week 2.

“I think there’s a really good chance he’ll be out there, I really do,” Glenn said, “But, again, tomorrow will be a big day. Well, today is going to be a big day.

“Tomorrow is going to be a big day as far as him being on the field and being able to get the reps he needs to go out there and play confident. I am looking forward to seeing how he operates today, going into tomorrow.”

In addition to Johnson, running back and returner Kene Nwangwu is also day-to-day. He has been out since Week 1 after suffering a hamstring injury. Wide receiver Allen Lazard (personal) and cornerback Michael Carter II (concussion), both did not make the trip to London this week. Lazard will not play, and it is expected that Carter will also miss Sunday’s game.

Defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (groin) was limited during Wednesday’s practice. Fields (knee) also popped up on the injury report, but was a full participant.