Justin

Fields

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, other teams had interest in Fields, but his preference was to go to the Chiefs. It’s an interesting landing spot for the former No. 11 overall pick, who is now slated to join his third team in three seasons. With Patrick Mahomes (knee) still recovering from a torn ACL, Fields will be the presumed QB1 for the Chiefs throughout much of the offseason, and could draw the start in Week 1 if Mahomes is unable to start. Fields struggled during his lone season with the Jets, throwing for 1,259-7-1 in nine games while adding another 71-383-4 on the ground. One of the worst sack avoiders in the NFL, Fields was also sacked on 11.7 percent of his dropbacks and had an abysmal 23.3 percent pressure-to-sack rate. Going from one of the best sack avoiders in the league to one of the worst could present an interesting challenge for Andy Reid and the offense in the early portion of the season. That said, Fields’ rushing ability will also add another element to the offense that can be exploited in Mahomes’ offense. While he would be a risky short-term bit in 1QB leagues, Fields will have some later-round value in 2QB/Superflex leagues if Mahomes misses time. Jets beat writer Zack Rosenblatt reports the Jets are paying “all but $3 million of Fields’ $10 million guaranteed salary,” which saves them more money than what it would have cost to release him.

This story comes from ESPN’s Rich Cimini, who also pointed out that Mougey said, “I don’t think (a trade up is) happening.” Much like the Raiders, who currently hold the No. 1 overall pick, the Jets are in QB purgatory. While the Raiders hope Fernando Mendoza will end their years-long struggle at the position, the Jets chances to do the same look bleak at the moment. Justin Fields remains under contract, but the team is likely to move on from him at some point this offseason after a disastrous 2025, and rookie UDFA Brady Cook’s 739-2-7 line didn’t do much to help his case for earning more playing time in 2026. The Jets have some work to do to figure out the quarterback position for next season. Whatever they end up doing, it seems highly unlikely it will involve trading for the 1.01.

The reports comes off the heels of New York swapping Jermaine Johnson for T’Vondre Sweat. Hughes made it clear the Jets aren’t having a fire sale, though it’s hard to see this as anything else. They sent most of their big names packing at the trade deadline last year, with Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams, and Michael Carter all traded. At this point, the Jets are running out of players to deal, even if they want to keep making moves. Justin Fields is expected to be released, but a team looking to sign him could guarantee his services by trading for him. Garrett Wilson was also the subject of trade rumors last year, though the Jets just inked him to a long-term deal and didn’t seem interested in moving him at the deadline.

Fields would incur a $22 million dead cap hit and save the Jets only $1 million against the cap if released, and yet Rosenblatt still believes that is a likely scenario because the Jets are not lacking for cap space. Fields would likely find backup work somewhere if released, but the Jets runout appears likely to have been his final chance to cut it as a starter in the NFL. Rosenblatt also notes that it’s unlikely any team would trade for Fields at this point.

Fields reportedly declined the invitation to focus on his offseason training as he continues his bid to return as a franchise quarterback after a tumultuous beginning to his career. Fields enters 2026 in the final year of a two-year deal signed with the Jets prior to the 2025 regular season but appears to be on the outs with the franchise, potentially auditioning for a backup gig somewhere else. The dual threat quarterback has started 53 games during a five-year NFL career while playing for three different franchises in the three previous seasons.

So, probably not then. Fields enters year two of a two-year contract as either a trade possibility or a candidate for release. The trade would save more cap space for the Jets, so we’d expect them to pursue that avenue. Fields would still be a fairly good backup quarterback option for most teams even if he hasn’t delivered great results as a starter. The 2021 first-rounder turns 27 in March.

Fields looked downright unplayable for much of 2025, struggling to complete 10 passes at times and crossing 200 yards passing in just four of nine starts. The Jets also failed to really utilize his legs on designed plays for much of the season, leaving him with the worst of both worlds as a fantasy contributor. Still somehow only 26, Fields is no guarantee to see out the second year of his two-year contract with the Jets. A post-June 1 release would save the Jets $10 million in cap space. He also is a trade possibility. The knee injury is not incredibly significant, with Fields telling reporters in the locker room last week that he felt “week to week,” so he should be healthy for the offseason.

Fields will function as the team’s emergency QB3 as Tyrod Taylor backs up Brady Cook, who’s making his second NFL start. Fields has likely played his last snap with the Jets. Mason Taylor (neck) being sidelined should open up more snaps and pass routes for TE Jeremy Ruckert, who this week signed a contract extension with the Jets.

Fields talked to reporters on Friday and said he is “week to week” and “trying to get back before the end of the season.” Those don’t read like the quotes of someone who will be active in Week 16, but here he is on the questionable line, daring the Saints to prepare for him or something like that.

Cook finished as the overall QB26 last week against the Jaguars. Although this week’s opponent fields a more fantasy-friendly defense, Cook remains a low-end QB2 at best. Both QB Tyrod Taylor (groin) and QB Justin Fields (knee) are returning from injury. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said that the healthier player will be given the No. 2 quarterback role on game day.