The New York Jets are entering a new era with head coach Aaron Glenn and quarterback Justin Fields leading the franchise away from the Aaron Rodgers debacle.
However, Fields’ two-year, $40 million contract may not guarantee long-term security, as one analyst believes the Jets could pivot as early as the 2026 NFL Draft.
Fields’ Prove-It Deal Sets Stage for Potential Change
Since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2021, Fields has struggled to establish himself as a franchise-caliber quarterback. Over three seasons as a starter for the Chicago Bears, he failed to deliver consistent results, leading to his trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.
His stint in Pittsburgh represented a career resurgence. Going 4-2 over six starts, Fields would have finished 15th on PFSN’s QB+ Metric if he qualified for the grade. He threw for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns while adding 289 rushing yards and five rushing scores.
Despite this improvement, Fields’ contract structure with the Jets suggests the organization maintains flexibility. With only $30 million guaranteed on his two-year, $40 million deal, New York could easily move on if his performance falters.
The latest mock draft from PFSN suggests exactly that scenario. Analyst Joe DeLeone projects the Browns will select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick, while the Jets land Cade Klubnik from Clemson.
Klubnik Emerges as 2026 Draft Prize
The Clemson signal-caller has transformed into one of college football’s premier quarterbacks over the past two seasons. In 2024, Klubnik posted 3,639 passing yards and 36 touchdowns, a significant jump from his combined 21 touchdown passes in the previous two seasons. He also contributed 463 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
DeLeone has been closely monitoring Klubnik’s development heading into the upcoming season. “Expectations are high for Clemson this season, and they’re especially high for Cade Klubnik,” he noted.
I really believe in Clemson QB Cade Klubnik being a top 5 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He’s shown growth as a playmaker, flashes pinpoint accuracy into tight windows, and is impactful on the move pic.twitter.com/21BUdp0cT3
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) May 15, 2025
The analyst believes Klubnik’s combination of arm talent and mobility could elevate his draft stock significantly. “We’ve seen flashes of his former five-star pedigree, and this season is his chance to prove he can be a starter in the NFL,” DeLeone explained. “With more consistent decision-making, his arm and mobility will carry his draft stock for 2026.”
For Fields, the implications are clear. The 2025 season represents a critical juncture in his career trajectory. Should the Jets struggle to the point of securing a top-two draft position, it would signal that the dual-threat quarterback failed to meet expectations in his prove-it opportunity. Conversely, success could finally establish him as the long-term answer at the position that has eluded the franchise for decades.
The upcoming campaign will ultimately determine whether Fields can break the Jets’ lengthy quarterback carousel or become another casualty in their ongoing search for stability under center.