The New York Jets are going to have a quarterback decision to make sooner rather than later, and no, it's not picking between Justin Fields and Tyrod Taylor.
At season's end, New York will have to decide what to do with Fields, who is under contract for one more season thanks to the two-year deal he signed last year in free agency.
But there is an out in the former Ohio State star's contract that would leave the Jets on the hook for just $10 million in 2026.
Jets can cut Justin Fields in 2026, eat $10 million in dead cap space
According to ESPN's Bill Barnwell, New York was already planning on benching Fields, so it's likely they're prepared to move on from him in the offseason, too.
"The Jets benched Fields in-game against the Panthers and seemed likely to start Taylor the following week against the Bengals, only for a knee injury to keep him from playing. Fields stuck in the lineup, helped the Jets score 39 points in a dramatic comeback victory and then presided over a second consecutive win in Sunday's 27-20 toppling of the Browns," wrote Barnwell.
"Gang Green is already on the hook for $10 million of Fields' $20 million base salary. The most likely scenario is the Jets release Fields over the winter, saving them the additional $10 million he would be owed in 2027."
More likely than not, the Jets are going to have a new starting quarterback under center in 2026.
Whether that be a rookie or a new bridge guy to carry them to 2027, it's safe to say Fields was a one-year experiment.
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- Garrett Wilson breaks silence on Jets' Sauce Gardner, Quinnen Williams trades
- Sauce Gardner opens up on shocking Jets-Colts trade in first media availability
- Jets defensive coordinator pulls back the curtain on Quincy Williams' benching