Will Justin Fields have to compete for the New York Jets’ starting quarterback job?
Speaking to reporters at the owners’ meetings in Palm Beach, Florida, general manager Darren Mougey confirmed Fields will be the Jets’ starting quarterback for the 2025 season.
“Justin [Fields] is the starter,” said Mougey. “We believe in Justin; we believe we can win with Justin. We’re excited about Justin’s potential.”
Despite Fields earning the starting job, Mougey added that backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor will be “right on his heels”.
Fields, 26, was the Jets’ first outside free agent signing this offseason. They signed the Ohio State product to a two-year contract worth up to $40 million, with $30 million guaranteed.
The Chicago Bears selected Fields with the 11th overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. The signal-caller spent three seasons in Chicago primarily as the team’s starter, compiling a 10-28 record while completing 60.3% of his passes for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions, along with 356 rushing attempts for 2,220 yards and 14 touchdowns.
In 2024, Fields was dealt to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a conditional sixth-round pick. The former Buckeye started the first six games of the 2024 season for the Steelers, leading Pittsburgh to a 4-2 record. During his time as the starter, Fields completed 66.3% of his passing attempts for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception, also ripping off 231 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 55 attempts.
After getting benched by the Steelers for Russell Wilson, Fields only logged 12 offensive snaps for the rest of the 2024 season while throwing one incomplete pass and rushing for 58 yards on seven attempts.
While Fields has not consistently proven himself a top quarterback in the NFL, Mougey and Aaron Glenn are betting on the 26-year-old’s potential. Fields has the physical tools to become a dangerous quarterback at the professional level, but needs significant work on some of the position’s fundamentals.
Prior to free agency, it was reported that Fields wanted “to be the guy wherever he goes.” Based on Mougey’s comments, it seems as if he will get his wish with the Jets. Fields now has an opportunity to revitalize his career as the Jets’ clear-cut starting quarterback.
