Rich Simini
FLOHAM PARK, N.J. — A month after saying goodbye to Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets spoke to the quarterback position on the first day of their free agent negotiations and agreed to terms with former Pittsburgh Steelers backup Justinfield on Monday, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Fields, 26, will sign a two-year, $40 million contract with a $30 million guarantee, sources said. The former Chicago Bears’ first round pick is expected to be the Jets’ first day starter ahead of holdover backup Tyrod Taylor, but this is not a long-term commitment. The Jets, who were also able to add a quarterback to the draft, can reevaluate their position after the 2025 season.
Rodgers has appeared as a quarterback option for the Steelers, league sources told Shefater on Monday.
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This was a big move for the Jets’ new administration led by general manager Darren Moosy and coach Aaron Glenn, who invited him out of the Steelers. They identified the field as players they wanted to bring the franchise into a new era.
The Jets landed the field after losing four major contributors on Monday – right tackle Morgan Moses (New England Patriot), cornerback DJ Reid (Detroit Lions), defensive tackle Javonkinlow (Washington commander), and linebacker Hayson Redick (Tampa Bay buccaneers).
Moved swiftly to replace the lead, the Jets agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract with free agent cornerback Brandon Stevens.
Field reunites with wide receiver Garrett Wilson. They were teammates for two seasons in Ohio State (2019-20). Fields was drafted 11th overall in 2021 after the Jets selected quarterback Zack Wilson.
Fields leads the depth charts, including Taylor and Jordan Travis, the 2024 fifth round pick.
Fields, 26, landed with the Steelers a year ago through trade with the Chicago Bears. Prior to selecting quarterback Caleb Williams for the No. 1 pick in the April draft, Chicago shipped previous first-round picks to the Steelers for their sixth selection in 2025.
Russell Wilson was selected as the start quarterback after the preseason, but Fields began the first six games of the Pittsburgh season as Wilson recovered from severe calf tensions. Fields went 4-2 on that six-game stint, finishing the season, completing 65.8% of his attempts and threw five touchdowns on one interception. He also had 289 rushing yards and five TDs.
The Steelers had hinted at an offensive plan involving both quarterbacks after Wilson replaced the field as a starter in Week 7, but Field appeared in four more regular season games, attempting one pass and rushing seven times for 58 yards.
38 started with the Bears and he completed 60.3% of passes for 6,674 yards, 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.
Due to his career, Fields completed 61.1% of passes, with 45 touchdowns and 31 intercepts. He rushes for 2,509 yards and another 19 score.
The 27-year-old Stephens is a two-year starting cornerback who is away from the toughest season in the NFL. Last year, teams often targeted Stevens when they needed a big play against the Baltimore Ravens. He allowed 66 receptions and four touchdowns for 906 yards, but this was all the worst of his career.
Known for his versatility, Stephens safely started 11 games in his rookie season before starting 33 games at cornerback over the past two years. In 2023 he was expected to play safety, but moved to cornerback after an injury struck that position during training camp. He then recorded a career-best of 74 tackles, two intercepts and 11 passes.
Brooke Pryor and Jamison Hensley of ESPN contributed to this report.
