Justin Fields’ debut season with the New York Jets is officially over.
The team placed Fields on injured reserve due to a knee injury, closing the book on a campaign that never quite found its rhythm. With Fields sidelined, the Jets will turn to Brady Cook as their starting quarterback, while veteran Tyrod Taylor slides into the backup role.
It’s a tough ending for a season that began with real optimism. Back in March, the Jets made a bold move by signing Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal.
They believed they were getting a dynamic playmaker-someone who could stabilize the quarterback position and finally give the offense a true identity. Instead, they’re left facing hard questions about what comes next.
Fields is owed $20 million next season, with $10 million of that guaranteed. That means no matter what direction the Jets go, they’re tied to him financially-at least partially. Whether Fields is back in green and white next year remains to be seen, but the organization will have to weigh that guaranteed money against his on-field performance and health.
And make no mistake: the Jets will be exploring their options. Whether it’s through the draft or free agency, the search for a long-term answer under center is back on.
When they signed Fields, the hope was that the carousel would finally stop. Instead, this season has only reinforced how elusive that franchise quarterback continues to be.
Now, with Cook stepping into the spotlight, the Jets will use the final stretch of the season to evaluate what they have in-house. But long term, the quarterback position remains very much in flux.