NFL Insider Links Justin Fields to Jets After Aaron Rodgers' Exit amid Steelers Rumors

The New York Jets could make a run at quarterback Justin Fields with Aaron Rodgers out the door in the Big Apple, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Fowler reported Sunday on SportsCenter that there "could be something there if they're looking to go younger" regarding the Jets' QB search.

Head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey confirmed this week they told Rodgers he won't be back with the team for the 2025 season. The announcement left no doubt as to whether New York will have a new starting quarterback when it opens next year.

New York isn't on the clock until the No. 7 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Landing one of Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders will almost certainly require a move up. Standing pat would mean reaching for the best of what's left in a generally weak QB class. Ward and Sanders are the only ones who crack the top 50 in Bleacher Report's big board.

The risk with Fields is obvious.

The 2021 first-round pick had an up-and-down three years with the Chicago Bears and got benched midway through 2024 with the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the Steelers went 4-2 with him as the starter, he averaged 110.6 passing yards per game.

Fields nonetheless wouldn't be a terrible choice for the Jets because he's unlikely to carry a steep cost. Spotrac values him at $6.4 million annually. Even if you double that figure, it's still pretty cheap for a starting QB.

The 25-year-old has a pretty high floor, too. For his career, he has completed 61.1 percent of his passes with 45 touchdowns to 31 interceptions.

Fields probably wouldn't be a long-term solution for the Jets, which is clearly what the franchise needs. He could, however, buy some time for a draft pick Glenn and Mougey identify as a better candidate to be that permanent answer.