Robert Nelson Jr. Talks Fields, Lamar’s Leap, And Stroud’s Edge

Robert Nelson Jr. recording an interception with Texans (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

In our initial discussion with former NFL cornerback and entrepreneur Robert Nelson Jr., our discussion focused on his journey through the league, his origin story for his lifestyle brand Oautica Wave, and the mindset needed to transition from athlete to CEO. Now, in Part Two, the conversation shifts from business to ball.

Nelson isn't afraid to reveal what happens behind closed doors in the NFL. Nelson shares his raw, unfiltered insights about the Jets considering Justin Fields as quarterback after Aaron Rodgers' injury, as well as his thoughts on Aaron Glenn bringing a player-first culture to New York's sidelines. He explains why leadership isn't handed to a quarterback just because of his draft status, and what it takes to earn the respect of a veteran locker room.

The discussion centers on Lamar Jackson's pursuit of a Super Bowl title in Baltimore, the offensive team the Ravens need to unleash his potential, and why C.J. Stroud's future as an elite QB depends on limiting his online presence, rather than his arm talent.

Nelson uses his NFL career's laser focus to answer every question, from defensive game prep to harsh truths about media bias, locker room politics, and quarterback development. Nelson discusses why preparation and mindset, not hype, ultimately distinguish the stars from the noise when prospects like Cam Ward enter the league.

Football is not the only topic of discussion here. On the field and beyond, this is a masterclass on accountability, identity, and what it means to lead. Let's get started.

Interview With Robert Nelson Jr

— The Jets are in an interesting spot with Justin Fields possibly stepping into Aaron Rodgers' shoes—how do you think Fields fits in that system and culture?

— Yeah, I played with the Jets too—and I’m not trying to bash anyone—but honestly, their front office doesn’t really know football. They’ve got people in place, but most of them haven’t played the game, and that matters when it comes to building a winning culture. That’s why I think bringing in Aaron Glenn as head coach is such a big deal. 

AG taught me everything I knew when I was in Cleveland. He played 14 years in the league and also played for the Jets, so he knows the organization from the inside. When he was in Cleveland, he had to grind for everything—he spent two, three years as an intern behind someone who didn’t even understand the cornerback position like he did. He gave away all his knowledge and got no credit for it. 

But he kept going. He went to the Saints, worked with guys like Marshon Lattimore, myself, and Bradley Roby, and really elevated that DB room. Then he went to the Lions as defensive coordinator and helped completely change their identity. 

Detroit hadn’t been relevant since Barry Sanders, and AG played a big role in helping that team win again. Now that he’s the Jets’ head coach, I think that’s huge. Having a guy who actually played the game and understands what it takes—that’s going to be big for someone like Justin Fields. AG is going to hold him accountable. If he doesn’t perform, AG won’t hesitate to find someone else. It’s a business. 

One thing he always told me stuck with me. He’d say, ‘Nelly, you gotta come to work every day with joy—no matter what. There’s no other place in the world where you get paid this kind of money to do what you love.’ 

He reminded me that people out here are struggling—working jobs they hate, getting paid $30,000 a year—but they still tune in to watch us play. He’d say, ‘You get to be a superhero. You get to play a kid’s game and entertain the world. So why show up to work unhappy?’ That’s the kind of mindset AG brings. He stands on integrity, effort, and real leadership. I believe he’s going to do everything he can to build something special with the Jets, and if Fields buys in, it could really work.

— What’s the toughest part for a young QB walking into a veteran locker room that just had someone like Aaron Rodgers?

—- Earning respect, man—that's the toughest part. Even if you were a first-round draft pick, if you didn’t have the career you hoped for in Chicago, then went to Pittsburgh and split time with another veteran, you still have to prove yourself. And now, coming into a new organization like the Jets, you have to prove yourself all over again—especially because you didn’t win where you were originally drafted.

At that point, people start asking questions. ‘Is it you?’ And even though it’s obviously a team sport, when you’re a first-round quarterback, there’s a different level of expectation. Teams are basically saying, ‘Hey, we just spent all this money on you—we expect you to be the captain.’ That kind of leadership has to be earned, not given.

It’s about getting guys to believe in you, to buy into who you are and what you stand for. And that only happens through action. You’ve got to show it every day. Like with Justin Fields—every time I’m at the facility, he’s there. That matters. When your teammates start noticing that work ethic, they begin to believe in you. They’ll want to play for you, fight for you, and win with you.

— As a defender, how does game prep shift when going from preparing for a pocket passer like Rodgers to a mobile threat like Fields?

— It comes down to preparation, consistency, and studying—that’s really all it is. It’s a lot of work, man. Even with Aaron Rodgers, people forget he can still move with his feet and make big throws, so you can’t just assume he’s a pure pocket passer. 

But the key is knowing what you know from the film. You can’t overthink it. Go into the game with confidence. If you’ve done the prep, trust it. You win, you win. You lose, you lose. But you don’t want to spend the whole game second-guessing yourself. 

Then later, when you're watching film, you're thinking, ‘Dang, I saw that. I studied that. If I had just trusted myself, I would’ve made that play.’ Once you’ve put in the work, give it to God, go out there, and ball. You’ve got to believe you’re ready. Film study is everything—it’s like being in the classroom. Watch it so much that when it happens in the game, it plays out exactly the way you expected. That’s when you know you’re locked in.

Lamar Jackson & The Ravens

— Lamar Jackson has done almost everything except win a Super Bowl—what do you think the Ravens need to do differently this year to finally make that leap?

— Man, I played in Baltimore, and I won’t get into my personal issues with the organization—but a lot of people might disagree with me when I say this: I think the Ravens need a better leader at head coach. I just don’t believe he's the guy everyone thinks he is. 

They've given him opportunity after opportunity, and while he’s had some success, sometimes it’s just time for a change. It’s someone else’s turn—someone who knows how to fully tap into a unique athlete like Lamar Jackson. They’ve tried different strategies, different coordinators, different pieces—but it hasn’t gotten them over the hump. And while I’m sure the relationship between Lamar and the coach is cool, at the end of the day, this isn’t about friendships. It’s about winning games and truly understanding how to lead someone like Lamar, who comes from a tough environment in Florida. You have to hold people accountable. 

And I know this might upset some folks, but being a franchise quarterback isn’t just about talent—it’s about how you carry yourself. The image, the approach, the professionalism. You’ve got to look like a pro, move like a pro, and lead like a pro. Not saying Lamar isn’t doing that—but the perception matters in the NFL. I wouldn’t want the leader of my team to be perceived in a way that gives fans or the media any reason to question his focus. Fans will nitpick—his style, his jewelry, his crew, his social media. But when you’re the face of the franchise, that stuff becomes fuel for criticism. If you really want to win, sometimes you’ve got to isolate yourself, train in silence, and stay off the grid. Stop showing people your training sessions.

Don’t post your throwing mechanics or your workouts on social media. Because guys like me? We’ll study that. We’ll break it down frame by frame and use it to prepare against you. I know your footwork, your reads, your mechanics—I’m studying how you throw left, how you move right, and now I have an edge. And from what I’ve seen, the NFL still has a certain bias. They didn’t want to pay Lamar what he deserved at first. He was on the Madden cover. He was an All-Pro. But they hesitated because of how he looked, who he was around, how he dressed. They didn’t like that his mom was involved in his contract talks. 

They didn’t want to hand that kind of money to someone they couldn’t control through traditional representation. They’d rather pay someone who ‘looks the part,’ someone they feel more comfortable managing. Again, I’m not throwing shade—I’m just speaking from experience. These are the conversations I’ve heard behind closed doors. So if Lamar really wants to make that leap, he’s got to control what people can see, stay locked in, and make it impossible for anyone to question his commitment or preparation. That’s the only way he’ll beat the system and win it all.

— What kind of offensive or defensive identity do you believe the Ravens need to embrace to complement Lamar’s skill set in a playoff run?

— I really think the Ravens need to build a strong core of offensive linemen around Lamar. He’s a natural runner—so that’s always going to be part of his game—but you’ve got to create a system where he’s protected and has the option to roll out, set his feet, and throw without constantly being under pressure.

If you build the right O-line around him and Derrick Henry, it’ll open up the offense. He’s going to take off anyway—it’s in his nature and the foundation of how he plays—but if he can run and still stay behind the line of scrimmage long enough to keep the passing option alive, that’s when he becomes truly dangerous. Defenders will start to bite, and that’s when he can really exploit coverages.

I think they should look at implementing more spread concepts, if they’re not already. Something similar to what Michael Vick had in Atlanta. The difference is, you’ve got to protect Lamar better than Vick was protected. Vick took a lot of hits and dealt with injuries—and you don’t want to see that happen with Lamar.

The issue with the Ravens, in my opinion, is that they don’t like to spend money on established talent. They always want to go young, develop players over time, or sign guys on the cheap. But you’ve got to pay to play. If you want to be a dominant organization, if you want to truly compete for championships, it’s not like you don’t have the money. This isn’t a start-up team. This is a franchise with a Super Bowl pedigree. So act like it—pay the guys who can help Lamar thrive and build a real contender around him.

— How do you contain a guy like Lamar in the postseason when every snap matters and defenses tighten up?

— It’s all about pressure. You have to show pass coverage and still collapse the pocket. Lamar’s always going to make plays with his feet—that’s just who he is. But a few years ago, he even admitted he was out of shape. He said he was heavier back then, and that played a role in some of those late-game struggles.

By the third or fourth quarter, he’d be gassed. No energy left. That’s when defenses were able to get sacks and turn momentum. So constant pressure is key. You’ve got to wear him down.

At the same time, it’s not just the D-line. It’s a full-team effort. Your DBs and safeties need to hold it down in coverage if they’re not blitzing. And if you are sending blitzes, they have to be fast, smart, and able to beat the offensive linemen—whether that’s off the edge or countering inside.

C.J. Stroud Heading Into Year Three

— C.J. Stroud silenced a lot of critics last season. What are your expectations for him going into Year Three—can he take that next leap to elite status?

— I think C.J. silenced a lot of critics last season, no doubt. But if he wants to make that next leap to elite status, it’s not just about talent—it’s about protecting your game. And that starts with staying off social media.

A lot of guys are out here giving away too much free game. I get it—you want to promote yourself—but when you're showing your training and tendencies on Instagram or YouTube, you're giving defenders extra tools to study you. A real student of the game is watching everything.

When I played, I was obsessed with film. I wanted to make the game as easy as possible. I studied quarterbacks to the point where I’d pick up the smallest habits. Say C.J. wipes his hands on a towel every time he’s about to throw a deep ball. That’s a tell. Once I see that enough times, I’m jumping that route—pick six.

The point is, players like me are watching your games, your training videos, your mannerisms—everything. I used to watch high school, college, and preseason tape on guys, all from the iPad they gave us. That was the edge.

At the end of the day, this is modern-day gladiator work. And like in 300, the real warriors weren’t out there announcing how they were going to win a fight. They just showed up and went to battle. Same thing here. You want to be elite? Protect your craft. Keep the edge.

— From a defensive back’s perspective, what makes Stroud so effective at picking apart secondaries—what’s he doing differently from other young QBs?

— From what I’ve seen on social media, it looks like C.J. Stroud does put in some work. I haven’t seen much in terms of his conditioning, so I can’t speak on that. But I do think the Texans need to make sure they build the right team around him—give him the right O-line and playmakers who can get open quickly and make plays.

He’s still young, but he’s starting to understand what it really takes to be an elite quarterback. Early on, teams didn’t know what to study or what to expect from him, so he had more freedom to shine. 

But as the season went on and defenses started focusing in—especially late in the year when fewer teams are left and the game plans get tighter—defenses were able to study his tendencies and adjust.

That’s the real test: can you still win when teams know your habits? It’s easy to catch people off guard when you’re new, but once they’ve got film on you and understand your game, that’s when you find out what you’re really made of.

— Thoughts about Cam Ward heading into year one with the Tennessee Titans?

— I think Cam Ward’s a pro, man. Honestly. I just love how he carries himself. From what I’ve seen—watching his YouTube, how he prepared for the season, the way he transitioned from Washington State—he understands this is a business.

Cam used to joke around, like, ‘Man, why are Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders always dancing and playing? It’s serious out here.’ He’d say stuff like, ‘That’s why I would’ve beat y’all. That’s why I went to bigger schools. That’s why I put up the bigger numbers—because I’m serious about this. This is my lifestyle.’

And when he said that, it wasn’t hate. It wasn’t jealousy. He’d tell them, ‘Y’all don’t have to do this. You’re rich. Your pops gave you options. But this—this is all I’ve got. I don’t come from money. My family’s struggling. I’ve transferred schools. I’ve been doubted. I want to be a first-round pick, and I’ve got to change my family’s life. I can’t do that laughing, playing around, chasing girls, or not holding my receivers accountable. I can’t be out here out of shape or on my phone. I’ve got to be great.’

That’s Cam Ward. A silent killer. Locked in. He wants everything done to perfection. If a rep’s off, he’ll run it back—not once, but two or three times—until he nails it. He doesn’t do a lot of talking during workouts. He’s focused. Working with his QB coach, going through the details. He’s built different. I’m glad he went in the first round, man. He earned it. And as far as I can tell, he’s a stand-up guy. I don’t know what he does off the field—that’s not my business. I’m here to talk about his game, his character, and the way he approaches football. And let me tell you—he’s a pro.

Oautica Wave & Life After Football

— You’ve launched your own brand, Oautica Wave. What was the inspiration behind it, and what message are you trying to send through the brand?

— The message behind Oautica Wave is all about balance in life. Whatever you do, you have to find balance—whether it’s with medication to balance your blood levels, your heart rate, or to fight diseases. Balance is key.

For a lot of kids, it’s about learning to ‘catch the wave.’ Don’t run away from challenges or obstacles; become the wave. If you run from it, eventually it’ll catch you and wipe you out. But if you run into it, you can flow with it and control your path.

I was a Nike athlete until 2017. When they dropped me, I realized there wasn’t loyalty or longevity there for me. I didn’t expect it to end that way, but once I understood the business, I thought, ‘Why am I promoting their brand for free?’ I needed to build something for myself—something I could give to my kids and others, and create the perfect shoe. The shoes I wore were hurting my feet, but I kept playing and balling in them, while they just gave me free merchandise to market. That didn’t feel right.

After Nike released me, I stopped wearing their gear and started my own clothing line. We’ve been successful, and we’re giving other athletes opportunities to create their own colorways, get sponsored, and build with us. It’s about building something real for ourselves and the next generation.

— How has your time in the NFL shaped your mindset as a business owner, and what are your long-term goals for Oautica Wave in the fashion and culture space?

— Man, that’s a great question. The NFL completely reshaped my mindset in ways most people wouldn’t understand. It made me realize why the average person doesn’t think like athletes do. The level of discipline, sacrifice, and mental toughness it takes is on a whole different level.

I spent 24 years chasing the NFL — no paycheck, just the dream and the grind. That meant missing out on things most kids and young adults enjoy — hanging out with friends, dating, partying. I couldn’t afford to get into trouble because there was always something bigger at stake. I learned discipline early. You can’t back out when your team’s depending on you. That kind of accountability forces growth. You start doing things you never thought possible, because you’re surrounded by people who are fighting for the same thing.

When you leave that environment and step into the real world, you realize how important it is to protect your energy. If you're powerful and you're surrounded by weak energy, eventually, it’ll drag you down. That’s why I’ve always been intentional about who I keep around me — people who believe in big goals, who push forward no matter what. That mindset is why I waited until I was 32 to have a child — because I understood what needed to be in place before bringing a life into the world. I didn’t want to be another story of someone who made it, lost it, and had nothing to show.

People might think I’m strange, but I achieved my dream. I played in the NFL — one of the biggest, most competitive organizations in the world. I made my goal come true, and most people never do that. So when I say I want to build a billion-dollar company or live in a 30,000-square-foot house, that’s not ego — that’s vision. And I know what I need to sacrifice to get there. I’m willing to give up partying, distractions, even relationships if they aren’t aligned with that vision.

That same discipline and mentality I had in the NFL, I’ve brought into Oautica Wave. Success in business — just like football — means you’ve got to separate yourself from anything that holds you back. You have to protect your time, your energy, your focus. I’ve learned that when people around you don’t support your dream, it’s okay to cut ties. It’s not personal. I just can’t afford to slow down.

Football taught me to be a gladiator. Either you’re with me, or you’re not. And if you’re against me, I’m coming with everything I’ve got. I’m here to win. Nothing — not sex, not distractions, not doubt — is going to stop me. I already achieved one of the hardest things in the world by making it to the NFL. And compared to that, building this brand? It's tough — but it’s not harder. Because now, I know the way.

So when things start to slip, I know how to lock in. Get off social media. Cut the noise. Refocus. I’ve been through worse, and I came out stronger. That’s what I bring to Oautica Wave — the hunger, the resilience, and the mindset of someone who’s already made the impossible happen once. Now I’m doing it again — on my own terms.