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Pittsburgh misses out on the 26-year-old QB
The New York Jets are signing former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million guaranteed, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported Monday.
The news comes at the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period after reports had previously indicated the likelihood that Fields would test the free agent market. Fields went 4-2 as a starter in place of then-injured Russell Wilson in the 2024 season, and now, he earns another shot in the league — this time, as the intended starter for a new franchise. The Jets were in need of a quarterback after announcing the intention to move on from veteran Aaron Rodgers earlier this offseason.
Fields turned 26 on March 5 and is coming off one of his best campaigns as a passer, despite a fairly dull-appearing end-of-year stat line, completing 106 attempts for 1,106 yards, 5 TDs and 1 INT. Fields achieved career highs in NFL passer rating (93.3), successful pass rate (42.9%) and completion percentage 65.8% and on-target throw rate 75% while marking career lows with a 9.04% sack rate and 0.6% interception rate per Pro Football Reference.
Fields also brings athleticism and mobility to the table, which the Steelers continued to lean on at times, even with Wilson behind center. He totaled 289 rushing yards and 5 TD with the Steelers in 2024, with his best season as a runner coming in 2022, where he averaged 76.2 rush yards per game (7.1 yards per rush attempt) with the Chicago Bears.
Most buzz indicated that the Steelers hoped to come to terms on an extension for either Fields or Wilson ahead of free agency, getting a cornerstone piece of the offense to build around while also solidifying their cap situation prior to the start of the legal tampering period on March 10. However, with free agent QB Sam Darnold having signed with the Seattle Seahawks, and Fields now off the board, the team’s options are dwindling at the position. GM Omar Khan could elect to bring back Wilson, who has not yet signed with another team, with additional buzz indicating a potential interest in former Packers and Jets QB Aaron Rodgers.