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July 14, 2025Jets Show Signs of Life in Week 1 Loss: Why Fans Should Be Encouraged
If there’s such a thing as a good loss, the New York Jets Week 1 loss to the Steelers was exactly that. Sure, the fourth quarter collapse was frustrating, and yes, the Jets have plenty to clean up. But overall, it’s hard not to feel encouraged by how this team played and the signs of real progress on offense.
A Functional Jets Offense (Finally)
For years, the Jets’ biggest problem hasn’t just been losing games—it’s been being flat-out unwatchable. On Sunday, that wasn’t the case. The offense looked functional, something I’ve been saying would be the key measuring stick for this season.
Tanner Engstrand seemed to have a real grasp of play-calling and personnel usage. The offensive line created push and opened up big holes. Breece Hall looked explosive again. Garrett Wilson got open when it mattered. Even the supporting cast chipped in just enough plays to keep drives alive. For once, the Jets had rhythm and balance on offense, and that’s a massive step forward.
Justin Fields’ Surprising Debut
Justin Fields was better than anyone outside the Jets’ building could have expected. Of course, everyone anticipated that Fields would make plays with his legs—scrambles, designed runs, those highlight-reel moments. But what stood out most was his work inside the pocket.
Fields extended plays by sliding up in the pocket or moving laterally, dodging defenders who seemed to have him dead to rights. And crucially, he didn’t just run at the first sign of pressure—he kept his eyes downfield, reset his feet, and delivered big throws. That’s growth. That’s quarterbacking.
There will be weeks when defenses bottle him up better, but Fields showed dimensions to his game that make him a nightmare matchup. If he continues to play with this kind of versatility, the Jets could have something real here.
Why This Was a “Good Loss”
Losing is never the goal. Glenn is right about that. But for a fan base that has endured years of dreadful offense and hopeless Sundays, this game felt different. The Jets were fun to watch. They looked competitive. They showed potential.
If you don’t think that matters, go ask Giants fans how enjoyable their Sunday was. For the Jets, this feels like the beginning of something. Not the end game, not perfection—but a start.
Looking Ahead
The Jets need to clean things up—mistakes in the fourth quarter can’t happen, and consistency is everything in the NFL. But if Week 1 is any indication, this season could finally be fun. And for a fan base starved of functional offense and exciting football, that’s a victory in its own right.
