With Aaron Rodgers’s departure, the New York Jets will be in the quarterback market this offseason. One name that has been floating around is former 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields.
The Jets’ brass passed on Fields and drafted Zach Wilson instead that year, but Wilson’s tenure ended after three lackluster seasons.
Team reporters and podcast were live from the NFL Combine on Feb. 26 on their YouTube channel, where Connor Rogers of NBC Sports initially dropped a nugget on the quarterback search.
“Do you go into free agency and do you look to go, ‘hey we want another pro in case Tyrod [Taylor] gets hurt and we want to ramp up the competition we want here, like a Justin Fields,” Rogers said. “We’ve heard that name thrown around a lot. This is probably an enticing situation for Fields because It’s a place he can come in & play. He has already played with Garrett Wilson before, right? So that situation is comfort.”
Rogers then added that this move wouldn’t “break the bank,” and they wouldn’t owe Fields a ton of “long-term money.”
Another name that’s been talked about is currently on the roster: Tyrod Taylor. According to NFL Insider Josina Anderson, Taylor has “multiple supporters in the building,” and certain individuals are impressed with his ability to “pass and run the offense.”
Both Fields and Taylor are seen as bridge quarterbacks, while Fields has a little more upside due to his 25-year age. Tanner Engstrand, the Jets’ offensive coordinator and former Detroit Lions passing game coordinator and tight ends coach, came from an offense that ran the ball a lot.
They used two running backs in Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, so adding a rushing quarterback to the mix could improve the heavy-run scheme. It’s important to note that Detroit’s offensive line in 2024 was among the league’s best, so this Jets offense may not be able to excel the way the Lions’ offense did until their offensive line improves.
Gang Green, picking at No. 7, will likely miss out on the top two passers, Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. The likelihood of that scenario becoming a reality leaves the Jets with cheaper bridge options like Taylor and Fields.
