The New York Jets have found their replacement for Aaron Rodgers -- and they’re going in an entirely different direction.
The Jets are signing quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year deal with $40 million, including $30 million guaranteed, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Monday.
This is the biggest free agent to land with the Jets so far under the new power duo of rookie head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey. With the quarterback dominoes falling quickly in the early stages of free agency, Fields lands a starting opportunity with a QB-needy team changing directions significantly after the failed Rodgers experiment.
Best known for his running prowess, Fields spent last season with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He took over starting duties for an injured Russell Wilson right before Week 1 but ceded the job after six games once Wilson was cleared. The Steelers used Fields in spot duty thereafter, and he did not regain the starting role even as Pittsburgh struggled down the stretch.
Fields, who turned 26 last week, completed 106 of his 161 passes (65.8%) for 1,106 yards, five passing touchdowns and only one interception in 10 games (six starts) last season. He also ran 62 times for 289 yards and five more scores.
Fields has never faced the Jets before in his career, but Glenn faced him several times when both were in the NFC North, with Fields running wild a few times against the Detroit Lions. He also threw for a career-high 335 yards and four TDs against the Broncos in 2023 when Mougey was part of Denver’s front office. And he'll reunite with wide receiver Garrett Wilson, as the two were teammates for two years at Ohio State.
Drafted by the Bears in the first round (11th overall) of the 2021 NFL Draft, Fields has thrown for 7,780 yards, 45 TDs and 31 INTs and run for 2,509 yards and 19 more TDs in 50 career games (44 starts).