The New York Jets moving on from Aaron Rodgers feels like a major step for the organization. With a new head coach in Aaron Glenn, there’s some optimism, and adding former first-round pick Justin Fields as their potential starter shows a long-term vision for the team.
However, Fields hasn’t been the most consistent quarterback in his four-year career. While the Jalen Hurts comparison is easy to see, Fields has yet to take that next step. As a result, Stephen A. Smith believes the Jets are his final chance to prove himself.
Stephen A. Smith Believes This Is Justin Fields’ Final Chance
For every Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold in recent years, there are countless quarterbacks who fail to reach their potential. Smith believes Fields could fall into that category if he can’t make it work in New York.
On the first day of free agency, the Jets agreed to terms with the former Chicago Bears QB to a two-year, $40 million deal. Potentially, New York is looking to replicate the success he had in the first six weeks of the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Smith hopes that is the case, or he believes purgatory awaits the former No. 11 overall selection. Discussing the move on ESPN’s “First Take,” the recently re-signed analyst made his stance clear.
“I think his career is on the line. I know he’s relatively young, but he was in Chicago, and then he moved on to Pittsburgh, and when he was in Pittsburgh, obviously there was some trepidation over who would be the starter for the Pittsburgh Steelers.”
With both Fields and Russell Wilson on the roster, the Steelers had a decision to make. An injury to Wilson allowed Fields to start the first six games, but once Wilson returned, Mike Tomlin opted to go back to him.
“There was just some uncertainty when it pertained to whether it was going to be him or it was gonna be Russell Wilson.”
During that six-game stretch, the Steelers went 4-2, and Fields totaled 1,395 yards and 10 touchdowns. Still, for Smith, the biggest red flag was Tomlin’s lack of commitment to Fields.
“When Russell Wilson was injured to start the season, Mike Tomlin refused to name Justin Fields as the starter. So, it gave us all cause to pause.
“Because we were saying, ‘He’s there with them, he’s practicing with them, he sees him. We see him winning football games. We see him looking better than he did in Chicago’– what the hell is the problem?”
Once Wilson was cleared, he reclaimed the starting job and led the Steelers to a 6-1 record, bringing their total to 10-3. However, from there, the season collapsed, with a five-game losing streak ending their playoff run on Wild Card Weekend.
Yet, at no point during that slide did Tomlin consider making Fields the starter again. For Smith, that silence spoke volumes.
MORE: Top 121 Free Agent Rankings for 2025
“You’re at Chicago, and we know that that was a dismal situation. Then you go to Pittsburgh, and now here you are in New York. Those would be three franchises. If it doesn’t work here, I’m not trying to say that his career would be over, guys.
“…I simply mean that looking at him as a starter in the National Football League, as the face behind center for a franchise, I think that that narrative will come to an end.”
The challenge for Fields is clear. He’s taking over after Aaron Rodgers had arguably the worst two years of his career. Still, with a new direction for the franchise, he must steady the ship for the Jets.
Ranked 42nd on PFSN’s Top 121 Free Agents, Brandon Austin shared a similar perspective on Fields joining New York.
“There’s a certain level of intrigue around Fields joining the Jets given his skill set and the pieces in place. Still, he hasn’t been able to solidify himself at any stop, so the question marks are still there until proven otherwise.”