The New York Jets signed veteran Quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year $40 million contract in March. That is a bargain. He is one of the lowest-paid starting quarterbacks in the National Football League. He came to New York following a one-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the team’s starting QB to begin the year when Russell Wilson was sidelined with a calf injury to begin the 2024 season.
Fields filled in admirably during the first six weeks of the regular season. The team went 4-2 with him under center, but he was sent to the bench once Wilson was healthy enough to return. Even as the Steelers saw their season unravel, Head Coach Mike Tomlin stuck with Wilson.
Fields had a mature response when asked about his feelings regarding the New York Jets possibly drafting a quarterback later this month in the NFL Draft. “I don’t really like to answer rhetorical questions, but like I said, I’m willing to teach. However, I’m not really interested in, you know, rhetorical questions. I think that’s above my pay grade, so I’m gonna roll with whatever they choose.” What will the New York Jets do at quarterback in the draft?
New York Jets Look To Begin a New Era
It is a new era for the Jets following a tumultuous two-year stint with Quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is a difficult player to deal with, and he did not bring any form of success to the team. Only disappointment and a host of headaches. The team decided to cut ties with the future Hall of Famer and released him in March. That left a void for the team at the quarterback position. This led to Fields coming to town. First-year Head Coach Aaron Glenn wants to develop a new culture with the Jets.
The New York Jets have the No. 7 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. That leaves the door open for the team to draft a top-flight quarterback. Possible options are former Colorado Buffaloes Quarterback Shedeur Sanders or Alabama Quarterback Jalen Milroe. Fields’ contract being such a bargain means he is not entrenched as the starting quarterback in 2025. Just being signed by the team means he has no cache with the organization. There is no loyalty between him and the New York Jets.
Final Thoughts
It remains unclear if New York will draft a quarterback in a few weeks. They could opt to draft one at the top of the 1st round or draft a project in the later rounds. Fields struck exactly the right tone with his recent comments. He wants to ingratiate himself with the franchise and not be looked at as difficult before he plays his first game with the organization.
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