Big-name QB reportedly 'piqued' Jets' interest ahead of NFL Draft

The New York Jets seemingly wanted it known ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft that they are "all-in on quarterback Justin Fields" after they signed him in free agency to serve as the replacement for future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers. 

Nevertheless, ESPN's Rich Cimini suggested in an article published on Thursday that the Jets will end the draft holding the rights for at least one rookie signal-caller. 

"The vibe from One Jets Drive is that the organization is firmly behind Justin Fields and wants to give him a long runway to be their long-term starter," Cimini explained. "Don't expect them to take a quarterback on Day 1, though all bets are off on Days 2 and 3. Tyler Shough (Louisville) has piqued their interest, but he could be gone by Day 2."

A 2021 first-round draft choice, Fields failed to become a long-term answer at the position for the Chicago Bears from his rookie season up until they traded him to the Pittsburgh Steelers in March 2024. While he went 4-2 across the Steelers' first six games of last season, head coach Mike Tomlin sat the 26-year-old in favor of a healthy Russell Wilson after Wilson recovered from a lingering calf injury. 

This past March, the Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40M deal that the club can escape as early as next offseason. That makes the Jets' alleged interest in Shough interesting, because he's seen by many analysts as "the most pro-ready" quarterback in a draft class filled with advertised projects for the future. 

Others have referred to Shough as "the most talented thrower" and  "the best quarterback" among those who will be drafted through Saturday. He'll be 26 years old when he completes his first pro season and, thus, shouldn't spend too much time as an unused backup. 

The Athletic's Dane Brugler thinks Shough could go off the board in the first half of the draft's second round, while ESPN's Jordan Reid believes the prospect will be a third-round selection. Gang Green began Thursday holding overall picks No. 7, No. 42 and No. 73, but it's possible the Jets could move up in the second round if they want to keep Shough from landing with a team that may need a 2025 Week 1 starter.