On Sports: Justin Fields 'absolutely phenomenal so far' for Jets; James Franklin ranked top 10 coach

Today, in “On Sports,” pinch-hitting for “First Call,” we have a look at how Justin Fields is performing for the New York Jets.

Penn State’s James Franklin is listed among elite company.

And, two players with Pittsburgh ties miss out on a CFL opportunity.

Fields on the fields

While the Pittsburgh Steelers presumably are waiting on the man who will be their starting quarterback to sign and show up, the New York Jets are 2½ months into the tenure of the QB who was the Steelers starter for the beginning of last season.

And in the early sample size, the Jets’ brain trust has liked what it has seen from Justin Fields.

“He’s been absolutely phenomenal so far,” new Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand said in his first meeting with New York media late last week. “And we expect more out of that, and it’s just a lot of things that you can do with that type of player that is going to put stress on a defense and make that defensive coordinator stay up late at night as we get going into this thing.”

#Jets OC Tanner Engstrand explained why they targeted QB Justin Fields this offseason:

???? @nyjets #JetUp pic.twitter.com/sutNOS78vL

— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) May 29, 2025

As is known well by Steelers fans, Fields left for the Jets on the first day of free agency while their team targeted 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers.

The Steelers, of course, are still awaiting a decision from Rodgers.

Meanwhile, Fields by all indications is thriving in the early portions of the two-year, $40 million contract he signed with New York.

“He is just a talented individual on all facets. He’s obviously a physically talented player,” Engstrand said in the midst of Jets organized team activities.

After three middling years with the Chicago Bears, who took him with a first-round pick in 2021, Fields was traded to the Steelers in March 2024 after they had signed Russell Wilson and traded Kenny Pickett.

Wilson was anointed starter but an injured calf prevented him from playing in the first six games. Fields went 4-2 while filling in but once Wilson took over never started another game, albeit running the occasional snap. Wilson and the Steelers closed out the season (including playoffs) on a five-game losing streak.

The Jets still believe they have potential for a high-end starter in Fields.

“It’s just growth,” Engstrand said of Fields. “Going through his career, just continuing to stack experience along with it and then ultimately, (Fields) ends up winning four games out of the six (in 2024). You just see some of the things that are starting to develop in his game, and then you look at that and you go, ‘That’s pretty good. We can do some things with that.’ And that’s kind of I think where it started, and then, of course, all the other things that everybody talks about, that’s real. Those things are real, and we’re excited to get going with him.”

What was Justin Fields' reaction to seeing the Jets are playing his former team, the Steelers, to open the season?

"That's who we play Week 1. There wasn't really a thought to that." pic.twitter.com/aMZ7Fupan3

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) May 29, 2025

Fields, for his part, dutifully downplayed the Week 1 meeting against the Steelers. But he did embrace the idea repeatedly fronted by New York reporters that he was poised for a “breakout” season.

“I think I can be great — that’s been the goal for me my whole life, my whole career,” he said.

Top 10 James

Linking the terms “top 10” and “James Franklin” sometimes isn’t done with much flattery, considering his 3-17 record as Penn State’s coach when facing opponents who are ranked in the top 10.

But in the case of a recent national outlet’s coaches rankings, Franklin can be proud to be referenced in the top 10.

Over the weekend, a panel of media analysts from CBS and 247 Sports released its annual ranking of the 68 coaches from power conferences. Franklin moved up four spots from last season to end up seventh.

Here’s author Tom Fornelli’s write-up on the Nittany Lions’ coach:

There’s an argument to be made that Franklin stans and Franklin haters all got what they wanted last year. Penn State’s season might have been Franklin’s best yet, including that conference title-winning campaign in 2016. The Nittany Lions reached the semifinals of the College Football Playoff, winning two playoff games. Yet, the haters can still point out losses to Ohio State and Oregon in the regular season, and their two playoff wins came against SMU and Boise State. So the mocking “Big Game James” moniker still fits. Everybody wins! As does Franklin, who climbs back into the top 10 this year.

Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi came in at No. 37 in the rankings, and new (old) West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez at 42nd. Narduzzi was No. 38 last season.

“Narduzzi will remain one of my favorite coaches regardless of results, simply because I enjoy the man’s personality,” Fornelli wrote. “The 2024 season was a nice bounce back for Narduzzi and the Panthers, recovering from a 3-9 mark in 2023 to go 7-6. However, I suspect that’s not good enough in Narduzzi’s eyes, as this is a program that won the ACC in 2021 but has only been 10-14 in league play since.

2 Jersey boys

A pair of three-star prospects from the mid-Atlantic region who had official visits planned with Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers instead over the weekend made verbal commitments to Rutgers.

West Chester East High School offensive tackle Tyler Duell and Hillsdale, N.J., linebacker Adam Shaw each made their intentions known during official visits to the Scarlet Knights.

I’m excited to announce that I am 100% committed to Rutgers Football! Thank you to the Rutgers staff for this incredible opportunity and to my family for always supporting me. Let’s get to work! #FTC ???? @GregSchiano @CoachSparber @PValleyFootball pic.twitter.com/qX2ve1VliY

— Adam Shaw (@Adam_Shawdawg) June 1, 2025

In the 247 Sports composite rankings, Shaw is the No. 95 linebacker in the country and was the 25th-ranked prospect in New Jersey. He announced his commitment Sunday on X. According to 247, Michigan State and Wake Forest were his other power-conference scholarship offers aside from Pitt and Rutgers. His official visit with Pitt had been scheduled for this coming weekend.

Duell is the No. 41 offensive tackle in the country and No. 19 overall prospect in Pennsylvania, per 247. He had nine power-conference offers. He committed Saturday.

I’m excited to be committed to @RFootball Thank you to everyone on the staff for the amazing opportunity! pic.twitter.com/BSBA8Ubj8s

— Tyler Duell 4⭐️ OT (@TylerDuell18) May 31, 2025

Pitt has five commitments for its incoming Class of 2026 but none yet from Pennsylvania or New Jersey.

No, Canada

The Canadian Football League’s Ottawa Redblacks announced their final roster cuts at the conclusion of their preseason and in advance of the regular-season opener Thursday. And among those who didn’t make the team are two players familiar to Pittsburgh football fans: Jaylen Samuels and Maurice Ffrench.

Samuels, 28, played three seasons with the Steelers after he was drafted by them in the fifth round in 2018. A running back by trade, Samuels played at myriad spots for the Steelers and also appeared in three games for the 2021 Houston Texans. He had a 23-yard touchdown run in an Ottawa preseason game last month but now has been cut by teams in the NFL, XFL, UFL and CFL in a span of just more than three calendar years.

Ffrech had a 96-catch season in 2019 to cap a four-year career at Pitt. He’s bounced around the NFL and CFL since, making three regular-season game appearances for the 2021 Los Angeles Chargers.