After finishing their 2024 campaign with a 5-12 record and in third place in the AFC East, the New York Jets made drastic changes this offseason, including bringing in a new front office and coaching staff charged with taking the team back to the postseason for the first time in over a decade.
On top of those moves, New York also decided to move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, whose two seasons with the Jets didn't exactly yield the results they were hoping for.
To lead their team in 2025, new general manager Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn targeted former first-round pick Justin Fields in free agency, and inked the quarterback to a two-year, $40 million contract.
However, Fields hasn't exactly lived up to the expectations set upon him after his impressive collegiate career, so many were wondering if New York would use one of their picks in the 2025 NFL draft on a quarterback, but they opted against it.
ESPN NFL analyst Rich Cimini recently stated that he believes that the Jets decision to steer away from the most important position in professional sports was a calculated decision to show support for their new starter.
"By not drafting one, the Jets sent a message, over and over, that they're all-in on Fields," Cimini wrote. "It's almost like they didn't want a draft pick on the team to cloud what they believe is a clear picture: Fields is the starter. Veteran Tyrod Taylor is the backup. Period."
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Rodgers is the best free agent left on the market, and the Jets aren't bringing him back, so the job is Fields' for 2025. However, that doesn't mean he'll hold it for both years he's under contract or even the whole first year of the deal.
Taylor is a capable veteran backup with plenty of starting experience, as he's appeared in 94 games and started 58 in his 14 years in the NFL. He's completed 61.9% of his passes for 12,254 yards, 68 touchdowns and 29 interceptions while leading his teams to a 28-28-1 record in his starts.
If things don't look great for Fields, New York could pull the switch and let Taylor take over, but it's pretty clear that the Jets have plenty of faith in the former Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback and will give him some leeway as he prepares to lead his third team in five seasons.
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