The Impact of Justin Fields to the Jets

The New York Jets signed quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million dollar contract on Monday, including $30 million guaranteed. The contract presumably sets up Fields to be the starting QB for the Jets in 2025, just four years after New York passed up on him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Here’s a look at how the Fields signing impacts the fantasy football landscape this season.

Click here for more 2025 Player Profiles!

An Overview of Fields’ Career

Fields has had an interesting start to his career, to say the least. He was anointed as the quarterback of the future in Chicago, but the Bears cut bait on him and drafted Caleb Williams after Fields went 10-28 in his three years as a starter there. Fields did not throw for more than 2,500 yards or 20 touchdowns in any season. Last season, however, Fields had a bit of a reclamation story with the Steelers, leading them to a 4-2 record while playing in place of an injured Russell Wilson to start the year.

Although a corner of Steelers fans were clamoring for Fields to be the full-time starter, he still has several limitations in his game that make me doubt he can lead a team to the playoffs. Fields has yet to post an EPA per dropback number that ranks in the top half of the league, and has a penchant for holding on to the ball for too long, leading to avoidable sacks.

Where Fields stands out is in his rushing ability, which makes him valuable as a fantasy asset even if he isn’t a great real life quarterback. Fields was the overall QB6 in 2022 on the back of 1,143 yards and 8 scores on the ground, and averaged 18.9 fantasy points per game through the first six weeks last year as well. So, there is no doubt that Fields should absolutely be on your radar for fantasy in 2025.

Fields’ Outlook in the Jets Offense

The Aaron Rodgers experiment left a sour taste in New York, but on paper this Jets team doesn’t look like a terrible landing spot. Fields will get to throw to his former Ohio State teammate Garrett Wilson, who remains the clear top option in this offense after the Jets cut Davante Adams last week. The Jets also have a potentially exciting run game led by Breece Hall and Braelon Allen, and head coach Aaron Glenn has received nothing but raving reviews coming from Detroit. I don’t think the Jets will target a rookie quarterback with the 7th pick of this year’s draft after giving Fields a hefty amount of guaranteed money, which means Fields can safely be treated as a top 12 quarterback in fantasy. His rushing floor is up there with the likes of Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels, and I suspect he will be a very popular late round QB draft pick this summer.

As for the other weapons in the offense, it feels like the Fields addition doesn’t change a whole lot for fantasy. Wilson will remain a target heavy WR2, but will likely lack the touchdown upside needed to break into the top-10 at the position. It is promising that Fields helped support DJ Moore to a 1,364 yard, 8 touchdown season in 2023. Fields’ rushing ability will open up the run game for Hall and Allen, but the workload split between those two backs is something to keep a close eye on throughout the off-season. I am very curious to see how the Jets approach their draft strategy now. They would be wise to shore up the trenches at pick 7, but adding a dynamic weapon like Tetaiora McMillan may be too tempting to pass up on.

What’s going on in Pittsburgh?

Fields leaves behind an uncertain situation in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are clearly keen on competing for a playoff spot again this year, highlighted by their recent trade for star receiver D.K. Metcalf. However, they have yet to re-sign Russell Wilson, and have reportedly shown interest in other veteran quarterbacks including Aaron Rodgers. Truth be told, it feels like the Steelers have pigeonholed themselves into another middling offense that will inevitably end up going around 9-8, but there is still an exciting ceiling with Metcalf and George Pickens with the right QB under center. This will be an important storyline to stay on top of as we head to the draft next month.

The Bottom Line

• Fields has struggled for the most part as a starting QB, but has still been an elite fantasy asset thanks to his rushing ability.
• The Jets have a solid supporting cast around Fields, and he should be able to put up similar numbers as prior years as long as he remains the starter.
• The Steelers have to make a decision on their quarterback for next season before we can fully assess the fantasy value of D.K. Metcalf, George Pickens, and company.
• Fields profiles as a high-floor fantasy QB in 2025, and is someone I plan on targeting in the later rounds instead of less productive traditional pocket passers. His current Underdog ADP is 161.3 as QB25.