FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — One month after saying goodbye to Aaron Rodgers, the New York Jets addressed the quarterback place on the primary day of free agent negotiating interval, agreeing to phrases Monday with former Pittsburgh Steelers backup Justin Fields, sources instructed ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Fields, 26, will signal a two-year, $40 million contract that features $30 million in ensures, the sources stated. The previous Chicago Bears first-round decide is anticipated to be the Jets’ opening-day starter, forward of holdover backup Tyrod Taylor, however this is not a long-term dedication. The Jets, who additionally may add a quarterback within the draft, can reevaluate the place after the 2025 season.
Rodgers has emerged as a quarterback possibility for the Steelers, league sources instructed Schefter on Monday.
It is a main transfer for the Jets’ new regime, headed by common supervisor Darren Mougey and coach Aaron Glenn, who lured him away from the Steelers. They recognized Fields because the participant they need to lead the franchise into a brand new period.
The Jets landed Fields after shedding 4 main contributors on Monday — proper sort out Morgan Moses (New England Patriots), cornerback D.J. Reed (Detroit Lions), defensive sort out Javon Kinlaw (Washington Commanders) and linebacker Haason Reddick (Tampa Bay Buccaneers).
Transferring rapidly to switch Reed, the Jets agreed to a three-year, $36 million contract with free agent cornerback Brandon Stephens that features $23 million absolutely assured, sources instructed Schefter.
Fields shall be reunited with large receiver Garrett Wilson. They have been teammates for 2 seasons at Ohio State (2019-20). Fields was drafted eleventh total in 2021, 9 spots after the Jets chosen quarterback Zach Wilson, who was changed by Rodgers and traded final offseason.
Fields will lead a depth chart that features Taylor and 2024 fifth-round decide Jordan Travis, who sat out final season due to a school leg damage.
Fields, 26, landed with the Steelers a 12 months in the past through commerce with the Chicago Bears. Forward of choosing quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 decide in April’s draft, Chicago shipped the previous first-round decide to the Steelers for a 2025 sixth-round choice.
Although Russell Wilson was named beginning quarterback after the preseason, Fields began the primary six video games of the season for Pittsburgh as Wilson recovered from a severe calf pressure. Fields went 4-2 in that six-game stint and completed the season finishing 65.8% of his makes an attempt and throwing 5 touchdowns to 1 interception. He additionally had 289 speeding yards and 5 TDs.
Although the Steelers hinted at an offensive plan that concerned each quarterbacks after Wilson supplanted Fields as starter in Week 7, Fields appeared in simply 4 extra regular-season video games, making an attempt one move and speeding seven instances for 58 yards.
In 38 begins with the Bears, he accomplished 60.3% of his passes for six,674 yards, 40 touchdowns and 30 interceptions.
For his profession, Fields has accomplished 61.1% of his passes, with 45 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. He has rushed for two,509 yards and one other 19 scores.
Stephens, 27, is a two-year beginning cornerback who’s coming off his hardest season within the NFL. Final 12 months, groups typically focused Stephens once they wanted a giant play towards the Baltimore Ravens. He allowed 66 receptions for 906 yards and 4 touchdowns, which have been all profession worsts.
Identified for his versatility, Stephens began 11 video games at security in his rookie season earlier than beginning 33 video games at cornerback the previous two years. In 2023, he was anticipated to play security however moved to cornerback after accidents hit that place throughout coaching camp. He then recorded profession bests of 74 tackles, 2 interceptions and 11 passes defended.
Additionally on Monday, security Andre Cisco has agreed to a one-year, $10 million contract with the Jets, his brokers, Andre Odom and David Mulugheta of Athletes First, instructed ESPN. In his 4 seasons with Jacksonville, Cisco appeared in 63 video games (47 begins) and had eight interceptions (together with one pick-six), 24 move breakups and three compelled fumbles.
Cisco had points with blown coverages in 2024 and was faraway from the beginning lineup in Weeks 13 and 14. However he re-entered it in Weeks 15-16 earlier than lacking the season finale with a groin damage suffered throughout pregame warmups.
ESPN’s Brooke Pryor and Jamison Hensley contributed to this report.
