The New York Jets have turned the page after a disappointing 2024 season, officially moving on from Aaron Rodgers and placing their faith – and a $40 million investment – in Justin Fields.
Fields, who joins the team on a two-year deal with $30 million guaranteed, steps into the spotlight as the Jets’ new starting quarterback. The move marks a fresh start for both the franchise and Fields, whose journey from Chicago to Pittsburgh, and now New York, has been closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
With the pressure on, Fields’ arrival signals hope for a team in desperate need of stability and leadership under center.
Sauce Gardner Sees Shades of Aaron Rodgers in Justin Fields’ Early Moves
Fields’ transition to the Jets has already caught the attention of his teammates, especially cornerback Sauce Gardner. During a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Gardner shared his impressions of Fields’ early days with the team, drawing intriguing comparisons to Rodgers.
“He has really been dialed in, trynna make those type of throws,” Gardner said. “He made a few throws in OTAs that I’m like, ‘yo, I did not know he was capable of making this throw.’ It’s only a certain amount of quarterbacks that can make [it], I’m talking about his throws on like Aaron’s type of level.”
Gardner continued, “When it comes to being able to squeeze those throws in there, I always thought Aaron was the best when it came to that… Justin has made a few throws, I like okay, he really has been in the lab, I could just, I could just tell. He has always been a talented athlete.”
“Justin Fields is a DAWG..
He’s been really dialed in and he was making some unbelievable throws at OTAs” @iamSauceGardner #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/1J582IA7xW
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 2, 2025
Fields’ NFL journey began when he was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 2021. While he showed flashes of potential, especially with his running ability, his overall performance did not consistently meet expectations.
After three seasons in Chicago, the Bears moved on from him before the 2024 campaign, and Fields found a new opportunity with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
With the Steelers, Fields posted a 4-2 record as a starter and demonstrated enough promise to attract interest from other teams, including the Jets. New York has struggled to find a reliable quarterback in recent years, with several high draft picks and veteran acquisitions failing to deliver consistent results.
Fields, now 26, brings a mix of youth and experience to the position, with 44 NFL starts under his belt – 38 with the Bears and six with the Steelers.
If Fields continues to develop, the Jets may have found the stability and playmaking ability they have long sought at quarterback. Even if he does not take a major leap forward, his presence offers hope for a franchise eager to turn the page and compete in a challenging AFC landscape.