The Jets had seven opportunities to select a quarterback during this year’s NFL Draft.
Instead, they passed each time despite the continued questions surrounding the position.
In March, the Jets released Aaron Rodgers after two seasons, and days later, Justin Fields signed a two-year contract for $40 million, with $30 million guaranteed. A financial commitment like that normally wouldn’t preclude them from drafting a quarterback.
But the Jets made the correct decision by not drafting a quarterback just to say they did. When Shedeur Sanders slid to the fifth round before the Browns selected him, there was some clamoring from fans for the Jets to draft him. But that was unlikely to happen.
Unlike the previous regime, Jets coach Aaron Glenn has implemented a strategy of “moving in silence” during this offseason, focusing on building a culture and creating a different environment for the team. Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey also made a statement to Fields by not adding a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Glenn and Mougey are trying to surround Fields offensively with as much talent as possible. That’s why, instead of drafting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren or Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, the Jets solidified their offensive line by drafting Missouri tackle Armand Membou at No. 7 overall.
Gang Green also drafted LSU tight end Mason Taylor in the second round and Georgia wide receiver Arian Smith in Round 4, which could help improve the Jets’ offense after finishing 24th in the league last season.
“I mean, he’s been awesome to see on TV,” Taylor said about Fields. “So getting to play with him, and I’ve just seen his contract, you know they don’t pay bad players that type of money.
“He’s a really good quarterback and I can’t wait to go work with him and work with the guys in New York. It’s going to be awesome.”
There were quarterback options on Day 3 of the draft with Syracuse’s Kyle McCord and Ohio State’s Will Howard. However, the Jets selected three defensive players instead (Malachi Moore, Francisco Mauigoa, and Tyler Baron).
“We talked about a lot of the quarterbacks obviously going into this draft,” Mougey said.
Drafting a quarterback might have been discussed, but the Jets wisely chose not to go that route. Jordan Travis probably would have been their developmental quarterback option, but he retired last week after his serious ankle injury in his final game at Florida State in 2023.
The Jets could have chosen a quarterback with the uncertainty of Travis’ injury, but the message is clear: The Jets will give Fields, 26, every opportunity to prove he can be a franchise quarterback in 2025. After being selected by the Bears 11th in the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields has yet to live up to expectations.
In his three seasons in Chicago, Fields passed for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns, 30 interceptions, and completed 60.3% of his passes. He also registered a 10-28 during that span.
Obviously, Fields’ passing numbers don’t tell the entire story. He’s also a dynamic runner after registering 2,509 yards in four seasons in the league. But his passing has been uneven, with Fields never finishing a QBR higher than the 56.3 he recorded in 2022, which was good for 15th in the NFL that season.
That was one reason the Bears decided to draft Caleb Williams last year and traded Fields to the Steelers. Fields improved his passing in Pittsburgh after completing 65.8% of his passes. In relief of Russell Wilson, who began last season with a calf injury, Fields had a 4-2 record and passed for 1,106 passing yards with five touchdown passes and one interception. On the ground, Fields had 289 yards and five touchdowns.
“We are going to let him play quarterback because that’s what he always wanted to do,” Glenn said about Fields at the NFL Annual Meetings in March. “I’m not saying he hasn’t had a chance to do that in other places, but I know what I want to do with that player. Obviously, want to utilize his legs, but also want to give him a chance to play quarterback.”
The Jets took a risk by not selecting a quarterback in this year’s draft. Tyrod Taylor, the team’s backup, has an extensive injury history. The only other quarterbacks on their roster are Adrian Martinez, who was on the Jets’ practice squad last year, and Brady Cook, whom they recently added as an undrafted free agent.
But if Fields does not become the player Glenn and Mougey expect him to be in 2025, they will search for another quarterback next offseason. The Jets could release Fields next March with a June 1 designation and save $10 million, according to Over the Cap.
The 2026 draft class also has better prospects than the lack of quarterback options this year, outside of Cam Ward, whom the Titans selected No. 1 overall. Many have pointed to Texas’ quarterback Arch Manning as a possible headliner for the 2026 NFL Draft. But he will have two more years of eligibility after the 2025 season and could decide to stay in school.
Other 2026 quarterback options could include Clemson’s Cade Klubnik, South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers, Penn State’s Drew Allar, and LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier.
If Fields plays a lot like the player he has been during his four seasons in the league, the Jets will likely be picking in the top 10 and be in the quarterback sweepstakes next offseason. But there was no need for the Jets to force themselves to fall in love with a quarterback during this year’s draft.
