After weeks of frustration and public criticism, Justin Fields finally gave the New York Jets something to rally around.
The 26-year-old quarterback, who nearly lost his starting job after owner Woody Johnson’s pointed remarks, engineered a 39-38 comeback victory over the Cincinnati Bengals that snapped the team’s 0-7 skid.
Fields completed 21 of 32 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown while leading a 23-point fourth-quarter surge that reignited a locker room running low on confidence.
The week leading up to the game was a test of resolve. Johnson had openly questioned Fields’ ability to “complete a pass,” and speculation about his benching intensified after Tyrod Taylor briefly took over before suffering a knee injury.
Fields later shared that he broke down privately, saying,
“When I was on the field, I was damn near about to start crying,” describing a moment earlier in the week when he cried alone “facing adversity and fighting through adversity.”
The victory also gave first-year head coach Aaron Glenn his first win and offered a glimpse of the resilience the Jets desperately needed.
The financial and strategic fallout for New York
Fields’ performance couldn’t have come at a more critical time. The Jets signed him to a two-year, $40 million contract this offseason, which includes $30 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus.
So far, the returns have been uneven: Fields has completed 64.1 percent of his passes for 1,089 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions, but his 38.1 Total QBR ranks 29th among qualified quarterbacks.
If New York decides to move on after the season, the financial hit would be significant. Cutting him would result in a $22 million dead cap charge while freeing only $1 million in space. A post-June 1 release would spread the damage, leaving $13 million in 2026 and $3 million annually through 2029.
With the trade deadline approaching and the team sitting at 1-7, the Jets must decide whether to build around Fields or reset again.
Breece Hall and Quinnen Williams have both drawn trade interest, and although Fields’ name has surfaced in speculation, Sunday’s comeback may cause the front office to hold off on drastic moves.
Glenn avoided confirming whether Fields would remain the starter, saying,
“This is the bye week, and we are going to focus on us.”
The Jets face three options: commit to Fields as their 2026 starter, use him as a bridge for a drafted rookie, or explore a trade if another team believes in his potential.
For now, Fields’ emotional turnaround has bought him time—and perhaps changed how the franchise approaches its next big decision.
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