Fields tabbed Jets' QB1 - 'We believe in Justin,' GM says - ESPN

PALM BEACH, Fla. — New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey left no doubt about the organization's post-Aaron Rodgers quarterback plan, declaring Sunday that Justin Fields is their new QB1.

«We believe Justin is the starter,» Mougey told reporters at the annual league meeting. «We believe in Justin. We believe we can win with Justin, so we're excited about Justin.»

In a sense, Mougey put his mouth where his money is.

The Jets gave Fields a $30 million guarantee as part of his two-year, $40 million contract in free agency — starter's money — but there was no public anointment by team officials until Sunday.

Not only did Mougey confirm Fields' starting status, but he took it a step further, saying the organization believes Fields can replicate the career trajectory of Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield — former first-round disappointments who flourished on their fourth team.

«We have seen some of that as of late and it did [play a factor] as we went through the process, and we think we could have the same,» Mougey said of Fields.

This will be Fields' third stop. He was drafted 11th overall in 2021 by the Chicago Bears, who dealt him to the Pittsburgh Steelers after three underwhelming seasons — a 10-28 record, 40 touchdown passes and 30 interceptions.

Thrust into the lineup as Russell Wilson recovered from a preseason calf injury, Fields helped the Steelers to a 4-2 start. He was efficient, if not prolific. He averaged only 184 passing yards per start, and had five touchdown passes, but he threw only one interception and posted a career-high 65.8% completion rate.

But he was back on the bench as soon as Wilson was healthy. The Jets saw promise in Fields' six-game stint, confident that he could continue to improve as a