Context:

The New York Jets made a significant move in the offseason by signing quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million deal after parting ways with Aaron Rodgers. Despite the addition of defensive assets like Brandon Stephens and Andre Cisco, and retaining linebacker Jamien Sherwood, the decision to invest heavily in Fields has been criticized. Fields struggled to establish himself as a franchise quarterback with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was eventually replaced by Russell Wilson. His inconsistent performance history, including a promising 2022 but a lackluster 2023, raises concerns about his ability to lead the Jets effectively. Critics argue that the Jets may have been better off investing in other areas of their roster or opting for a more affordable quarterback option as they still lack an elite team structure around him.

Dive Deeper:

• The Jets' decision to sign Justin Fields for $40 million over two years has been labeled as one of the most perplexing choices of the NFL offseason. This move was made after the team released Aaron Rodgers, hoping Fields could elevate their performance in 2025.

• Justin Fields' past performance includes a promising 2022 season with 2,242 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, yet he regressed in 2023, resulting in his trade by the Bears for a late-round draft pick and subsequent benching by the Steelers in favor of Russell Wilson.

• Despite acquiring defensive players like Brandon Stephens and Andre Cisco, and retaining Jamien Sherwood, the Jets' roster still has significant gaps, leading to doubts about their competitiveness even with Fields on board.

• Critics like Seth Trachtman suggest that Fields' unproven status as a reliable franchise quarterback makes the financial commitment risky, especially given the Jets' non-elite roster.

• Fields is expected to have strong offensive weapons at the Jets, but his previous inability to sustain high-level performance with two separate teams casts doubt on his potential success.

• Suggestions have been made that the Jets might have benefited more from investing in other parts of the team or opting for a cheaper, bridge quarterback like Jameis Winston or Tyrod Taylor.

• At just 26, Fields still has potential upside, but the Jets' decision to heavily invest in him without a solid surrounding roster is seen as an ambitious gamble.

• It's been a busy offseason for the New York Jets. 

• The team decided to part ways with veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers after the veteran failed to elevate the team to new heights. In response, the team brought in Justin Fields and signed the quarterback to a two-year deal worth $40 million. 

• Additionally, the team signed solid pieces for the secondary like Brandon Stephens and Andre Cisco. Standout linebacker Jamien Sherwood was also kept around, which is great news for the team's defense in 2025. 

• However, Seth Trachtman of Yardbarker identified one offseason move the team made that could age poorly. Trachtman picked the signing of Fields as the most head-scratching move for the Jets of the offseason. 

• Fields initially started for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 before being replaced by Russell Wilson. However, the Jets are clearly betting that the young passer will finally put it all together in 2025. 

• "Even in a thin offseason for quarterbacks, the signing of Fields to a two-year deal worth up to $40 million was shocking," Trachtman wrote. "He's yet to develop in Chicago and Pittsburgh, and was benched by the Steelers last season.

• "Fields has some strong weapons with his new team, but he has shown no real signs of being a franchise quarterback."

• Fields has now failed to impress for two different teams. It's risky to give an unproven quarterback that much money, especially when the Jets don't appear to have an elite roster around him. 

• In 2024, Fields played in 10 games and threw for 1,106 yards with five touchdowns and one interception. The quarterback's best season came in 2022, when he threw for 2,242 yards, rushed for 1,143, accounted for 25 touchdowns, and even earned some MVP votes. 

• But the quarterback regressed in 2023 and the Bears shipped him off for just a conditional late-round draft pick in 2024. The Steelers hoped to find a cheap, young starter, but Fields wasn't able to hold onto the starting job ahead of Wilson.

• Still, Fields is just 26 and the previous flashes indicate that there could be a solid quarterback waiting to be unleashed. The Jets aren't just a quarterback away from contention, though, as this roster still has plenty of holes. 

• An argument could be made that the Jets would have been better off rolling with a cheaper bridge quarterback like Jameis Winston, or perhaps Tyrod Taylor, who is already on the roster.

• Instead of paying Fields, that money could've been spent on improvements elsewhere around the roster. 

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