Jets Get Bad News On Justin Fields 'QB Riddle'

Justin Fields has the unevyable task of leading the New York Jets in the post-Aaorn Rodgers era, and it might not be a smooth ride.

But the Jets, in clearing the decks, have at least given themselves some wriggle room with Fields coming into the frame.

Fields' two-year, $40 million deal is on the cheap side for a starter, and we have mentioned that it is looming as a win-win for the Jets. If Fields is good, then great. If not, the franchise can move off him relatively unscathed next year.

So while the move for Fields is seen as a solid one, ESPN's Rich Cimini, it doesn't solve the position for the franchise.

"This doesn't solve their perpetual QB riddle, but it's the best they could've done under the circumstances," Cimini writes. "In a depressed quarterback market, they knew there were no instant cure-alls in the post-Aaron Rodgers world, but Fields makes sense because he's only 26 and still has some upside as opposed to the other options.

"The $30 million guarantee isn't a long-term commitment, which means they can give Fields a test spin for a year and see how it goes. If Fields flames out, they have Tyrod Taylor waiting in the wings as insurance. Basically, Fields is a bridge quarterback with a chance to be something more."

We get the sense that this is exactly what the Jets want Fields to be.

A prospect that if things go well, can make something positive happen, and if what many think will happen, does happen, then the Jets are on the hook for one season, before being back in the quarterback market in 12 months' time.

Tyrod Taylor and Jordan Travis are already on the roster, so the Jets, if they so choose, have a few levers to pull, but make no mistake, the Jets' quarterback problems aren't solved with the signing of Fields.

Yes, he could be a nice addition, but his contract says that if things don't go well, New York will already be eyeing the 2026 market.