The New York Jets need a quarterback, with new general manager Darren Mougey looking to provide his new head coach, Aaron Glenn, with a contending team in 2025.
Having released Aaron Rodgers along with his friend, and favored target, Davante Adams, the Jets have cap room to add in free agency. And, according to reports, the team has another former NFC North quarterback at the top of their wish list.
New York Jets to Add a Quarterback In Free Agency
With the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jets would likely need to trade up if they wanted to secure a top quarterback prospect. With Miami’s Cam Ward and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders, both expected to come off the board early, the Jets may need to look elsewhere.
That leaves the team with two options, either a trade or free agency. Matthew Stafford is staying with the Rams, after weeks of uncertainty, while Geno Smith’s trade to Las Vegas rules him out too. There remains a host of big-name quarterbacks available to Mougey, however, with multiple Super Bowl winners, MVPs, and former Pro Bowlers looking for a new team.
One of those former MVPs, Super Bowl Winners, and Pro Bowlers is the aforementioned Rodgers, who, for obvious reasons, is very much off the table. Russell Wilson has a similarly decorated past, but having played on a one-year deal in Pittsburgh last season, is likely to want a longer contract in 2025. The Jets could have a clear run at Wilson, however, with other QB-needy teams being strongly linked with other prospects.
Like the Seahawks, who, after recently trading their starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Raiders, are being heavily tipped to pursue Sam Darnold. Darnold was a standout in 2024, leading the Minnesota Vikings to a playoff appearance, throwing 35 regular-season touchdowns in the process.
Jets to Target Justin Fields
But according to a recent revelation from NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Jets are more interested in former Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields. Fields doesn’t boast the sparkling resume of some of the other options on the market, but at just 26 years old, has far more runway ahead of him.
The #Jets are high on Justin Fields, according to multiple sources.
They love his athleticism, leadership traits, ability to move the pocket and maybe most importantly, believe his best football is ahead of him. Could Fields be GM Darren Mougey’s first big free agency signing? https://t.co/hcoKhlGHRB
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 8, 2025
For context, having only recently turned 26, Fields is less than a year older than 2024 rookie Bo Nix. With 44 NFL starts under his belt, though, Fields presents a rare blend of relative youth and experience for a free-agent quarterback. In his six starts for the Steelers in 2024, Fields led the team to a 4-2 record, throwing five touchdowns and adding five more on the ground.
Having played backup to Russell Wilson for the remainder of the 2024 season, though, Fields will want an opportunity to start games in 2025. And if the Jets are willing to take a chance on the youth and upside of the former Bear, there shouldn’t be too much standing in the way of a deal.