The Justin Fields era in New York looks like it’s coming to an early-and expensive-end.
Just one year after signing Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal, the Jets are expected to move on from the 26-year-old quarterback this offseason. Fields was placed on injured reserve on December 23, capping off a turbulent season that saw him lose the starting job to veteran Tyrod Taylor and ultimately land on the bench.
From a financial standpoint, the decision to cut ties with Fields won’t come cheap. If the Jets release him, they’ll be staring down $22 million in dead money, though they could soften the blow by designating him as a post-June 1 cut and spreading the cap hit over two seasons.
Fields is set to count $23 million against the 2026 cap, including $20 million in salary-$10 million of which is fully guaranteed. Cutting him would only save the team $1 million in cap space.
Fields’ 2025 campaign was a mixed bag, though the numbers tell a story of a player who still flashes potential. He threw for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and just one interception, while adding 383 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. But despite the dual-threat production, the Jets’ offense never found its rhythm, and Fields eventually found himself watching from the sidelines.
This season marks yet another year without a playoff berth for the Jets, who now sit at 3-12 with two games left against division rivals New England and Buffalo. Barring a pair of upsets, they’re on track to finish 3-14 in Aaron Glenn’s first season as head coach. All signs point to the Jets using their high draft position to take a swing at yet another quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Fields, a former Ohio State standout and the 11th overall pick in the 2021 draft, has now suited up for three NFL teams: the Bears, Steelers, and Jets. Across his career, he’s accumulated 9,039 passing yards, 52 passing touchdowns, and 32 interceptions, along with 2,892 rushing yards and 23 rushing scores. But the win-loss column remains a concern-Fields holds a 16-37 record as a starter.
Still, the former first-rounder hasn’t lost confidence in his ability to lead an NFL offense.
“Of course. Yes, sir,” Fields said when asked if he still sees himself as a starter.
“I mean, I just know who I am as a person, as a football player, as a hard worker. I think I know I have the mindset and the skill to attain that.
I just feel like I need to do it on a more consistent basis, but that’s just what it is.
“It’s the ups and downs of life, and I’m in a-quote-unquote-valley right now. But it’s not going to do anything but make me stronger on the back end of it.”
That mindset may be tested again this offseason, as Fields enters yet another crossroads in a career that’s been anything but stable. Whether it’s as a starter or backup, the next chapter for Fields will likely begin outside of New York. For the Jets, it’s back to the drawing board-again-as they search for the quarterback who can finally turn promise into production.