Justin Fields surprised Steelers Nation in 2024 by getting the team off to a 4-2 start while Russell Wilson was sidelined. But it wasn’t enough to keep him in the driver’s seat, and Fields ultimately found himself benched.
While many Steelers fans hoped Fields would return to Pittsburgh as a bridge quarterback, the 26-year-old chose to sign with the New York Jets instead.
Fields’ ability to improve consistently is still in question, which is why many analysts believe the Jets might draft a quarterback.
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Fields has been at the Jets’ facility for organized team activities. He recently spoke with reporters and was asked about the possibility of the Jets drafting a quarterback in the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft. A reporter asked what he thought about serving as a mentor — or having a teammate “nipping at his heels.”
Fields said he’s fine with teaching but doesn’t want to entertain “rhetorical questions.” NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero joined “The Rich Eisen Show” and weighed in on Fields’ comments and the Jets’ potential draft plans.
“Two years, $40 is bridge quarterback money. They got $30 million guaranteed. He’s set up to be the starter this year, probably next year,” Pelissero said. “That’s not the type of money that you can’t go and draft a long-term answer.”
Pelissero added that the Jets’ situation isn’t all that different from what Fields experienced in Pittsburgh. The Steelers pick later — 21st overall — but there are so few Day 1-ready quarterbacks this year that the timing may not matter much. The real question is, who would they take?
“I don’t see them taking a quarterback at seven, that would surprise me,” Pelissero said. “Especially because I don’t know if there’s another Justin Fields-type player if that’s the style of offense you want to build.”
He mentioned that picking Jaxson Dart or Jalen Milroe at No. 7 feels like a reach, especially with the Jets having other holes to fill.
PFSN’s most recent mock draft has the Jets making a move to address those needs. In a twist, they trade with the Steelers so Pittsburgh can grab Shedeur Sanders. In return, the Jets get pick No. 21, No. 83, and Pittsburgh’s 2026 first-rounder. With the 21st pick, the Jets take Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. In the fifth round, they also take a flier on Will Howard, the former Ohio State quarterback.
Because Fields didn’t start the whole 2024 season, he wasn’t included in PFSN’s QB+ metrics but was given a C+ grade. Most analysts agreed that 2024 was the best season of his career — though the bar wasn’t high.
Fields is in a rare position. A quarterback rarely gets a third chance to be a full-time starter. But he also knows the pressure is on. The Jets expect results; if Fields doesn’t deliver, they won’t hesitate to find someone who will.