Update emerges on Justin Fields’ future

Justin Fields remains a member of the New York Jets, but it is not clear how much longer that will be the case.

Fields is essentially without a role after the Jets brought in Geno Smith as their new starting quarterback. ESPN’s Rich Cimini suggested that Fields’ status going forward is “very much up in the air.”

The Jets signed Fields to a 2-year, $40 million contract last offseason. There are no deadlines for guarantees to kick in, so the team can take its time in terms of making a decision on what to do with him. Cutting him would cost the Jets $22 million in dead cap, but would still open up roughly $10 million in cap space if the hit was spread over two years.

Needless to say, the Fields contract did not work out. He was benched after nine games after averaging less than 140 passing yards per game, even though he threw 7 touchdowns to one interception. The Jets went 2-7 in his starts, and he offered no convincing evidence that he was the man for the job.

Fields still seems to view himself as a starting quarterback in the NFL. If the Jets cut him loose, however, he will undoubtedly have to settle for a backup role somewhere.