When the New York Jets agreed to sign 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields to a two-year contract, the belief was that the team chose to sign him instead of getting aggressive with one of the quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The organization would not have signed a veteran quarterback like Fields if they didn't fall in love with one of the top three signal-callers in the draft.
Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, Ole Miss' Jaxson Dart, and Miami's Cam Ward were all the top three players expected to lead the 2025 quarterback class. None have shown they are "can't miss" products.
But the signing of Fields may not mean New York will ignore the quarterback class in this draft period.
At least that's what ESPN's Rich Cimini expects.
"The addition of Fields does not preclude them from drafting a quarterback," Cimini wrote. "If their conviction is strong enough, they could take one at any point in the draft, even in the first round if Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) slips to them at No. 7. But chances are they wouldn't take the QB plunge until Day 2 or even Day 3. The beauty of Fields' contract (two years, $40 million) is that it's essentially a one-year commitment for $30 million. The Jets can reevaluate next offseason."
Related: Jets' Justin Fields Signing Ranks as Top-10 Free Agency Move
It's important to understand the distinction of the team looking to draft a quarterback on Day 2 or Day 3, or one falling in love with a quarterback enough to draft them with a top-10 pick.
New York having a stop-gap in Fields to run the show heading into the 2025 season was always smart as they look to build a culture under Aaron Glenn.
There's just more scouting and decisions to make if they are going back into the quarterback world again.
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This story was originally published March 16, 2025 at 12:00 PM.