Jets Face Tough Roster Decisions After 3-14 Season: Fields, Cook, Phillips Among Cut Candidates
The New York Jets just wrapped up a brutal 3-14 campaign - a season that started with seven straight losses and ended with more questions than answers. While their former quarterback is headed to the Super Bowl, the Jets are back at the drawing board, holding the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and staring down a critical offseason.
To make room for incoming talent - whether through the draft or free agency - the Jets will need to trim the fat from their roster. And as things stand, three names jump off the page as potential cut candidates: Justin Fields, Trevor Cook, and Harrison Phillips.
Justin Fields: Time to Move On
Fields’ time in New York didn’t go as planned. After signing a two-year, $40 million deal with $10 million guaranteed in 2026, the former first-round pick was expected to at least stabilize the quarterback position. Instead, he started nine games, went 2-7, and eventually landed on injured reserve.
Statistically, Fields was serviceable - a 62.7% completion rate, seven touchdowns to just one interception, and four rushing scores. But the numbers don’t tell the whole story. The offense never found a rhythm with Fields under center, and his biggest issue - holding onto the ball too long - continued to haunt him.
Head coach Aaron Glenn tried to defend Fields' style, noting that some of his best games came when he extended plays. But even Glenn admitted there were times Fields needed to get the ball out quicker. That hesitation proved costly, especially behind an offensive line that struggled to protect him consistently.
Fields’ low release time and inability to process quickly enough in the pocket led to some ugly moments - none worse than the Week 6 loss to Denver, where he was sacked nine times and the Jets posted a franchise-worst minus-10 net passing yards.
With a high draft pick likely to be used on a new quarterback, keeping Fields around doesn’t make much sense. He’s not a viable long-term option, and his presence could complicate the development of a new face of the franchise. Veteran Tyrod Taylor, who’s more of a mentor than a threat, would be a better fit in a backup role.
Trevor Cook: Not the Answer at QB3
Trevor Cook got his shot this season, starting four games. Unfortunately for the Jets, he didn’t show much to warrant another look.
Cook threw just two touchdowns against seven interceptions and failed to crack 200 passing yards in any start. His lack of mobility also limited the offense, making him a non-factor in the run game.
To his credit, Cook showed maturity and self-awareness down the stretch. He spoke candidly about the learning curve, noting how much faster the NFL game is and how quickly defenders close space - especially in the passing lanes. He also acknowledged the importance of leadership and staying grounded in the fundamentals.
“I've learned a lot from a quarterback perspective, from a leader perspective,” Cook said before Week 18. “It’s still football - it’s the same game we’ve played our whole lives.”
That’s the right mindset, and it’s clear Cook is willing to grow. But the Jets need more than a good attitude.
They need production. As it stands, Cook doesn’t offer enough upside to justify keeping him in the quarterback room, especially with a high draft pick and potential veteran additions on the horizon.
Harrison Phillips: Durable, But Diminishing Returns
Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips has been a model of durability, starting all 17 games for the fourth straight season. But the production just hasn’t followed. In 2025, Phillips notched just half a sack and one quarterback hit - both career lows since becoming a full-time starter.
His tackle numbers were also underwhelming, and while he was part of a defense that struggled across the board, it’s fair to question whether Phillips is still a starting-caliber interior lineman. At this stage in his career, he may be better suited for a rotational role on a more complete defense.
Phillips’ consistency in availability is valuable, no question. But the Jets need impact players up front, especially if they want to support a young quarterback with a defense that can create short fields and momentum-swinging plays. If Phillips isn’t bringing pressure or stuffing the run consistently, his roster spot becomes harder to justify.
What’s Next for the Jets?
With the No. 2 pick in hand, the Jets are in prime position to draft a franchise quarterback. But before they can turn the page, they need to clean house. Moving on from Fields, Cook, and Phillips would free up cap space and roster spots for younger talent and more productive veterans.
The 2026 offseason is shaping up to be a pivotal one in New York. After years of instability under center and a defense that couldn’t carry the weight, the Jets have a chance to reset. But it starts with making the tough calls - and these three might be the first dominoes to fall.