Jets insider shares alarming Justin Fields stats after reported agreement

The New York Jets replaced Aaron Rodgers as their starting quarterback when they and Pittsburgh Steelers signal-caller Justin Fields agreed to what ESPN's Rich Cimini reported as a two-year, $40M contract that includes $30M guaranteed on Monday. 

Cimini shared some worrisome stats about the 26-year-old who is set to enter September as New York's QB1. 

"Since 2021, his rookie year, he ranks 29th in total QBR and 34th in completion percentage over expected," Cimini said about Fields. "He showed some improvement at the start of last season with the Steelers, but he still got benched in favor of Russell Wilson after a 4-2 start. What does that tell you? On the positive side, Fields' exceptional mobility will provide a dimension the Jets haven't had in a long, long time."

Before the Chicago Bears traded Fields to Pittsburgh last offseason, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic noted in January 2024 that Fields "was one of the worst fourth-quarter quarterbacks" of the 2022 season and was ranked 32nd in the NFL out of 32 qualifying players in multiple categories regarding fourth-quarter stats for the 2023 campaign. 

While Fields and Wilson allegedly competed for the Pittsburgh starting job last summer, it became clear that Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin favored the veteran until Wilson was sidelined with a lingering calf injury for the first six weeks of this past season. 

According to Pro Football Reference, Fields ended the 2024 regular season ranked 27th among qualified players with a 50.8 adjusted QBR and tied for 18th with a 93.3 passer rating. To compare, Wilson was 26th with a 51.3 adjusted QBR and 14th with a 95.6 passer rating. 

"The $30M guarantee isn't a long-term commitment, which means they can give Fields a test spin for a year and see how it goes," Cimini added about the Jets. "If Fields flames out, they have (backup) Tyrod Taylor waiting in the wings as insurance. Basically, Fields is a bridge quarterback with a chance to be something more."

Meanwhile, Dianna Russini and Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic mentioned on Monday that first-year Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand is expected to build "around Fields’ skillset with a lot of [run-pass option plays], play-action and creativity to get him in space and take advantage of his athleticism — while also attempting to develop him as a passer."

Fields could be a bargain for the Jets if he thrives under Engstrand. Then again, the 2021 first-round draft pick could have a third new team in three years if Gang Green's latest quarterback experiment flops as Rodgers did with the organization.