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The Jets are having a Fields Day.
The team and free agent quarterback Justin Fields reached a contract agreement on Monday, according to multiple reports, with Fields getting a two-year, $40 million deal that includes $30 million guaranteed.
The two sides came to an agreement shortly after the negotiating window opened at noon. The contract cannot be officially signed until Wednesday when the new league opens.
Fields, 26, now becomes the favorite to be the Jets starting quarterback in 2025. The only other experienced quarterback on the roster is Tyrod Taylor. The Jets could look to add a quarterback in next month’s NFL Draft, but Fields would likely have a leg up on any rookie and Taylor.
The Jets decided to move on from future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers entering this offseason after his two failed seasons at quarterback for the team. New coach Aaron Glenn and new general manager Darren Mougey are now taking their first swing at finding a quarterback with Fields.
The Jets will be Fields’ third team in the NFL and the Jets must be hoping they have found the next Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield or Geno Smith – quarterbacks who bounced around until finding success later in their career.
The Bears drafted Fields out of Ohio State with the 11th overall pick in 2021, the same draft that the Jets took Zach Wilson with the No. 2 pick. Fields showed flashes of potential but it never clicked for him in Chicago as he played for two different head coaches and two different offensive coordinators in his three years there. He went 10-28 as the starting quarterback and the Bears moved on last year, trading him to the Steelers.
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Fields started the first six games of last season in Pittsburgh and did some good things. He threw five passing touchdowns and rushed for five more and had only one interception. The team was 4-2 when Steelers coach Mike Tomlin decided to switch to Russell Wilson as his starter.
Fields played sparingly for the rest of the season and is now moving on from Pittsburgh, which reportedly was interested in re-signing him.
In his career, Fields has thrown 45 touchdowns, run for another 19 and thrown 31 interceptions. He has a career QB rating of 83.9 and a 61.1 completion percentage.
The Jets have some pieces on offense to surround Fields. Star wide receiver Garrett Wilson knows Fields from their days at Ohio State together and this could be a move that makes Wilson feel better about staying with the Jets long-term.
The Jets also have running back Breece Hall and solidified their offensive line last year. They are expected to add at wide receiver and tight end in free agency or the Draft.
The challenge for new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand will be marrying the system he is bringing with him from Detroit to Fields’ skillset. The Lions had a pocket quarterback with Jared Goff. Fields is mobile and can be weapon in RPO plays.
Fields will be the latest quarterback to try to solve the Jets’ problems at the position. If he starts Week 1, he will be the fifth different quarterback to open the season for the Jets in the last six seasons – Darnold, Wilson, Joe Flacco and Rodgers are the others.
