The future of Justin Fields with the Jets remains unknown.
After he was benched for Tyrod Taylor last week due to poor play, it is clear the Jets will have a new starting quarterback in 2026.
But Fields, 26, is under contract for next season after signing a two-year, $40 million contract last March. The Jets can release Fields after just one season and save $10 million.
Gang Green will need a veteran backup quarterback, no matter who the starter is next season. So there’s a case to be made that Fields could stay on board.
Let’s examine the possible options for Fields.
OPTION 1: RELEASE FIELDS WITH JUNE 1 DESIGNATION
Moving on from Fields seems like the most likely scenario for both sides. The Jets can search for a viable backup quarterback to pair with their anticipated rookie QB. This would also give Fields another chance at a new start in an area that may be quieter than the New York market.
When asked if Fields had a future with the franchise, Jets coach Aaron Glenn danced around the question.
“Man, that’s a ways down the road,” he said.
It is hard to imagine Fields staying with the Jets. In addition to being criticized by fans and media alike, Fields was lambasted by owner Woody Johnson and blamed for the team’s 0-7 start to the season.
Why would Fields want to return to a place where he was benched and then ripped by the team’s owner? There is also a financial aspect to consider with Fields, which is why the Jets will likely want to move on.
Fields is set to make $20 million in 2026, with half of that fully guaranteed. If the Jets release Fields, they will be left with a $22 million cap charge they can spread over two years with a June 1 designation. Keep in mind, the Jets still have Aaron Rodgers’ dead cap hit on the books after they released him in March. Rodgers’ cap hit is $49 million, which they are spreading between 2025 ($14 million) and 2026 ($35 million).
The Jets can do the same with Fields, which would result in a $13 million dead cap hit in 2026. If the Jets release Fields, they would have $48 million of dead cap charge on two quarterbacks not on the roster. Gang Green is expected to have over $100 million in salary cap space in 2026.
OPTION 2: KEEP FIELDS AS QB2
The Jets will need a backup quarterback and a bridge player, with a young quarterback expected to come to Florham Park. So, there could be some thought to keeping Fields with the Jets for one more season. Taylor, 36, will be a free agent at season’s end.
But if the Jets know the Fields experiment is not working, what’s the point of keeping him for financial reasons? Fields is a quarterback who has a unique set of attributes that can be successful in certain offenses. Clearly, the Jets offense hasn’t been one of them.
The other issue with keeping Fields is that his playing style may differ from the quarterback the Jets select next April. It is widely believed that they could draft Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who is more of a pocket passer but can scramble when pass rushers come his way.
It may be more beneficial for the Jets to have a veteran quarterback who is similar to Mendoza, should they decide to select him.
OPTION 3: RESTRUCTURE CONTRACT
This is probably the least likely option because Fields can be a backup quarterback in a different location. Teams like the Ravens, Titans or the Falcons could be on the hunt for an experienced backup next year.
Fields probably won’t make as money as he did with the Jets in a new location, but some team will kick the tires on a player who has started 53 games in the league.
PREDICTION:
It seems all but certain the Jets will have a new quarterback next year. It looks like it is best for everyone that the Jets move on from Fields.
It is hard to fault the Jets for trying the Fields experiment, but it just didn’t work for a variety of reasons.
