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New York Jets Owner Woody Johnson Makes Telling QB Comment

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 1:23 PM ET

Woody Johnson appeared to attempt some revisionist history when discussing his new quarterback.

In 2021, the New York Jets selected Zach Wilson as the No. 2 pick of a draft class that also featured Justin Fields. Johnson apparently wants to forget about his organization's ill-fated choice.

Per ESPN's Rich Cimini, the Jets owner overlooked Wilson when discussing Fields, whom New York signed this offseason.

"I think Justin Fields is going to be a total winner for us," Johnson said. "I've been impressed with him since his college days -- it was [Fields] or Trevor Lawrence -- and I think he's going to be really good."

If that's the case, the Jets would have drafted Fields instead of Wilson after the Jacksonville Jaguars took Lawrence. Fans probably wish they had taken Ja'Marr Chase, Micah Parsons, or Patrick Surtain II instead.

In three seasons, Wilson completed 57 percent of his passes with 23 touchdowns, 25 interceptions, and a 73.2 quarterback rating. They traded him and a seventh-round pick to the Denver Broncos for a sixth-rounder last year.

Johnson remembered picking Wilson when discussing the former BYU quarterback before that deal.

"He's got the skill. He can do everything. There's a reason we drafted him at No. 2 overall," Johnson said in March 2024. "I have confidence that he'll get there at some point."

Wilson joined the Miami Dolphins after never playing in Denver. Meanwhile, the Jets released Aaron Rodgers and signed Fields to a two-year deal.

While not a draft bust on par with Wilson or that year's No. 3 pick, Trey Lance, Fields has yet to cement himself as a franchise quarterback. The Bears traded him after three seasons to draft Caleb Williams, and he led the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 4-2 start before getting benched for a healthy Russell Wilson.

As much as Johnson may want them to, Jets fans won't forget the Wilson era. But they'll all hope for a fresh start behind Fields, who has the task of snapping the league's longest playoff drought in 2025.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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