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Jets Make Justin Fields Decision Before Ravens Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Nov 17, 2025 1:13 PM ET

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields is one of the most dynamic rushers at his position. The problem is that the former Ohio State Buckeye's passing isn't up to par.

Fields is 16th all-time among quarterbacks with 2,892 career rushing yards, seventh with 5.9 yards per carry, and second with 49 rushing yards per game, via StatMuse. This season, however, the 26-year-old ranks 30th among NFL quarterbacks with a 37.7 ESPN quarterback rating and 29th with 1,259 passing yards. Fields has rushed for 383 yards and four scores.

Fields has always struggled to make a consistent impact in the passing game, which is a quarterback's most important job. The 2021 No. 11 overall pick has never reached 200 passing yards per game in a season and is averaging 139.9 across nine contests this year.

The Jets made a decision regarding Fields on Monday, per The Athletic's Dianna Russini.

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7).Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

"The Jets are making a quarterback change, benching Justin Fields in favor of veteran Tyrod Taylor, per source," she reported. "New York faces Baltimore in Week 12 and ranks last in the league in passing yards per game."

Taylor has completed 43 of 69 passes (62.3%) for 379 yards with three touchdowns and three picks across three games this season. The 36-year-old replaced the injured Fields during New York's 30-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 and started in its 29-27 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the following week. He also replaced Fields when the latter struggled during the Jets' 13-6 defeat to the Carolina Panthers in Week 7.

The Jets are making a quarterback change, benching Justin Fields in favor of veteran Tyrod Taylor, per source.

New York faces Baltimore in Week 12 and ranks last in the league in passing yards per game. pic.twitter.com/Hf7y5WCZGH
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) November 17, 2025

Justin Fields Investment Did Not Work for Jets

Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with New York in March, per Spotrac. The deal included $30 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus.

The Jets are in a predicament. While Fields is clearly not their quarterback of the future, they'll eat $22 million in dead cap if they cut him after this season. The most cost-effective move would be keeping him as an expensive backup despite the awkward locker-room dynamic that could create.

Moving forward, New York might draft a quarterback next spring or roll with another veteran stopgap and select a prospect in 2027. The 2026 class will likely include Oregon's Dante Moore, Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Alabama's Ty Simpson, South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers and Oklahoma's John Mateer, per ESPN.

Up next for the Jets is a road matchup with the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The game will start at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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