NFL Exec Says Jets Should've Drafted Jalen Milroe as Injury Insurance to Justin Fields

The New York Jets declined to add any quarterbacks during the 2025 NFL draft after signing Justin Fields earlier in the offseason, sticking with Tyrod Taylor as the backup. And not everybody saw the logic in that decision.

"I thought the Jets should have been in play for Jalen Milroe," an executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando. "They draft [offensive tackle Armand Membou], so they are prioritizing the line of scrimmage a second year in a row. They are going to be a clear running threat with Fields, but when you play that way, you open him up to potential injury. Milroe would let them continue playing that style."

The alternate view to that, of course, is that signing Fields and immediately drafting a potential backup plan—rather than using those resources to improve the roster around him—isn't exactly the biggest vote of confidence (and an odd way to start a relationship). The Atlanta Falcons did that a season ago with Kirk Cousins and Michael Penix Jr., much to the astonishment of basically everyone (though Milroe wasn't selected until the third round by the Seattle Seahawks, whereas Penis was a first-round pick).

Either way, the Jets are definitively Fields' team, at least for now, and the team's focus with three of its first four picks—Membou in the first round, tight end Mason Taylor in the second, wideout Arian Smith in the fourth—was clearly honed in on making his life easier. Time will tell if they've succeeded.