The New York Jets came into last season with high hopes because of Aaron Rodgers. The season was a disaster. Rodgers showed his age and didn’t look fully recovered from his Achilles injury. The team fired head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas and has a slew of unhappy players looking to leave the team. When the team hired Aaron Glenn as their new head coach, they made it clear that Rodgers would not be back. However, that left a huge hole in the quarterback position. The team made a surprising move in free agency, signing former first-round pick Justin Fields to a two-year deal.
New York Jets Sign Justin Fields
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports it is a two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed. Justin Fields was drafted 11th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. After the team landed Caleb Williams, the team traded Fields to Pittsburgh for a sixth-round pick. He showed some promise last year, starting six games and throwing for 1,106 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. However, the Steelers ultimately went with veteran Russell Wilson once he was healthy.
The New York Jets are getting a young player who has shown some promise. While his passing numbers have been up and down, part of that was due to a subpar roster during his time in Chicago. Furthermore, his dual-threat ability isn’t talked about enough in NFL circles. In 2022, he rushed for 1,143 yards, averaging a whopping 7.1 yards per carry. If the team can unlock more of his abilities, they could have a quality starter.
Good Move For The Jets?
I actually like this move for the New York Jets. They didn’t sign him to a five-year maximum contract. Reports indicate it is basically a one-year deal for the team. It is basically a prove-it deal for the former first-round pick. He has no shortage of weapons on offense. Garrett Wilson is one of the best wide receivers in the game, and Breece Hall has shown flashes of being a solid running back.
The biggest issue for Fields has been timing and accuracy. If the New York Jets can help him develop those skills, they could have an absolute steal on their hands. We’ve seen quarterbacks like Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield resurrect their careers elsewhere. Can Fields have the same success in New York?
