Did the New York Jets sabotage Aaron Rodgers' career to make room for Justin Fields?
The New York Jets are moving on from Aaron Rodgers, pinning their hopes on Justin Fields (Getty Images)
The New York Jets appear to be closing the chapter on their troubled relationship with Aaron Rodgers, and in doing so, are placing their hopes on a younger, more determined quarterback—Justin Fields.
While Rodgers remains unsigned and reportedly undecided about a potential offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Jets are pressing forward with their newest starter, signaling a fresh start in a city desperate for quarterback stability.
Justin Fields
takes over as Jets quarterback as Aaron Rodgers remains sidelined and unwanted
The saga of Aaron Rodgers in New York was as chaotic as it was underwhelming. After a devastating Achilles injury in Week 1 of the 2023 season, he missed the entire year. In 2024, he returned to start, but the Jets sputtered to a disappointing 5-12 finish—far from playoff contention.
— NYJ_Matt (@NYJ_Matt)
And despite decent stats (28 touchdowns to just 11 interceptions), his leadership and locker room influence came under increasing scrutiny. Now, the franchise appears to be done waiting on Rodgers.
Enter Justin Fields. Once hailed as the future of the Chicago Bears, and then a short-term solution for the Steelers, Fields now gets the chance to rewrite the Jets' quarterback narrative—a tale plagued by inconsistency since the days of Mark Sanchez.
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"I think I can be great," Fields told ESPN. "That's been the goal for me my whole life, my whole career. I think the sky's the limit for this team, for this offense, but we still have a long way to go."
Fields is arriving with a chip on his shoulder and a budget-friendly $20 million salary—making him one of the league's lowest-paid starters. But if he succeeds in New York, that could change quickly. Last season in Pittsburgh, Fields posted a solid 4-2 record as a starter, with five touchdowns and just one interception in a conservative offense.
Aaron Rodgers fades into the background while Justin Fields rallies the locker room
As Rodgers keeps the NFL waiting with vague hints and no commitments, Fields is already taking control of his new huddle.
"Our offense and defense are new, so the guys are really focused and committed to learning everything," Fields added. "But I think once we get it down, the sky's the limit. We have all the guys we need… it's really going to come down to discipline and execution."
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With Fields' mindset and skillset aligning with the Jets' vision for a disciplined and explosive offense, the real question becomes: has New York finally found the quarterback they've been searching for? Or is this just another chapter in the team's long-running carousel under center?
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