Justin Fields’ time with the New York Jets appears to be nearing its end - and it’s hard to argue with the writing on the wall.
After signing a two-year, $40 million deal in 2025 to take the reins as the Jets’ starting quarterback, Fields’ tenure in New York didn’t just fall short of expectations - it unraveled. The former first-round pick was benched after a rough season, and now, the Jets are facing a decision that feels more like a formality than a debate.
According to reports, Fields is a strong candidate to be released this offseason. The Jets will likely explore the trade market first - that’s standard operating procedure - but with his stock at a low point, a trade partner doesn’t seem likely to emerge. That leaves New York with two options: release him outright and eat a $22 million dead-cap hit, or designate him as a post-June 1 cut, which would spread the cap hit over two years and free up $10 million in space - though those savings wouldn’t kick in until after June 1.
The Jets aren’t hurting for cap space, so the first option - taking the full hit now and moving on - may be the cleaner route. It’s not ideal, but if there’s a year to absorb that kind of financial blow, it’s this one.
So what’s next for Fields if - or when - he hits the open market?
There are a few teams that make sense as potential landing spots, not necessarily as a starter, but as a reclamation project or veteran insurance. Think Minnesota, San Francisco, or Miami - all quarterback-needy in different ways, and all intriguing fits for a player still trying to find his footing in the league.
In Minnesota, rookie J.J. McCarthy is the future, but the Vikings could use a veteran presence behind him.
Fields wouldn’t be brought in to start, but he could provide competition in camp and a safety net if McCarthy struggles. And under head coach Kevin O’Connell - who helped breathe life into Sam Darnold’s career - there’s at least a chance Fields could rediscover some of the promise that made him a top-15 pick.
Out west, the 49ers are in a solid spot with Brock Purdy entrenched as the starter and Mac Jones serving as the backup. But Jones, who revived his career in Kyle Shanahan’s system, is a logical trade candidate - and if he’s moved, San Francisco could be in the market for another experienced No.
- Fields, with his athleticism and untapped upside, could be a fit in that system.
Shanahan has a track record of maximizing quarterbacks, and while Fields hasn’t shown consistency, the tools are still there. If Jones is dealt, Fields could be next in line for the Shanahan QB rehab program.
Then there’s Miami, where the quarterback situation is murky heading into 2026. Tua Tagovailoa is widely expected to be moved or released, and backup Zach Wilson is set to hit free agency.
That leaves Quinn Ewers as the only QB under contract - a talented young passer, sure, but unproven. The Dolphins need depth, and they need it fast.
Fields wouldn’t be a long-term solution, but he could be a stopgap option while the franchise figures out its next move.
No matter where he lands, Fields is going to have to earn his next opportunity. The tools that made him a first-round pick are still there - the arm strength, the mobility, the playmaking instincts - but the consistency hasn’t followed.
The next team that takes a shot on him won’t be expecting a savior. They’ll be hoping for a spark.
And for Fields, that might be exactly what he needs. A fresh start, a simplified role, and a chance to rebuild from the ground up.
The Jets are ready to move on. Now it’s up to Fields to show he can still move forward.