The New York Jets are betting on Justin Fields being "the" guy for the franchise in 2025 …
And to one NFL insider, it’s a decent bet … and a required one.
The Jets have already announced him as the starter over Tyrod Taylor. So that part of the job is done.
What’s next?
With Fields never really taking over an offense to the point where he was seen as the long-term option in Chicago or Pittsburgh, the former first-rounder - still just age 26 - now comes to the Jets, and the hope is that this time, it'll stick.
Having been 4-2 as the starter with the Steelers last season, Fields lost the starting role to Russell Wilson, so it isn't like Justin was "bad," but coach Mike Tomlin wanted more.
Maybe now he gets the enigmatic Jets ex Aaron Rodgers, still uncommitted.
And maybe the Jets get … what? .Another resurgent success stout along the lines of Geno Smith and Sam Darnold?
Pittsburgh signed the former Steelers quarterback to a two-year, $40 million contract in free agency.
That’s cheap. But to NFL insider Mike Fisher, that doesn’t allow for non-existent expectations.
“Fields found a way as the starter for Pittsburgh to win games,” Fish said. “There is no reason for the Jets bar of expectations to be any lower than that … and he should take thoughts to the contrary as an insult.”
Fields now has a best-buddy stud at wideout in Garett Wilson, has a solid offensive line, has a good running back room with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen and has tight end draftee Mason Taylor, too.
Yes, maybe defenses can take Wilson away … but that’s when a weapon for Fields is his own stellar running ability.
Maybe new bosses Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey are in for a long build. Maybe the quarterback of the future isn’t here yet.
But it's Fields’ job to slap those two insulting presumptions in the face. Starting now.
