The New York Jets moved on from future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers this offseason, and wasted no time finding a replacement. The Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract early in the offseason.
Fields was a highly coveted prospect, being drafted with the No. 11 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft after two standout seasons at Ohio State. Fields was drafted by the Chicago Bears, and he was unable to live up to expectations in Chicago.
Fields spent last season in Pittsburgh, starting the first six games for the Steelers and leading them to a 4-2 record, but was benched upon Russell Wilson returning from injury. The Jets are betting on the flashes Fields demonstrated at Ohio State and in Pittsburgh.
Despite the front office's confidence in Fields, not everybody is as optimistic on Fields. NFL Spinzone's Lou Scataglia believes Fields will be a one-and-one in New York. Scataglia recently put together a 2026 NFL mock draft, in which Scataglia predicts the Jets will land a top five selection and draft Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik to replace the former Buckeye.
"Four straight QBs to begin the 2026 NFL Draft would be crazy, but Justin Fields is not a franchise QB and is going to get replaced at some point," Scataglia wrote. "The pick for the Jets is Cade Klubnik from Clemson."
If the Jets' season goes sideways enough to land the No. 4 pick as Scataglia predicts, it's likely Fields did not play well or suffered an injury. If he plays poorly and the Jets lose hope in Fields, then drafting a quarterback would seem like the obvious choice.
Klubnik has four quarterbacks being selected in the first four picks, which seems like an unlikely scenario. Klubnik posted an impressive junior season at Clemson, and his senior campaign will be one where he is truly tested.
Klubnik threw for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns to just six interceptions in 2024. Klubnik has been a high-volume passer in college, leading the ACC with 454 attempts in 2023, and increasing that number to 486 in 2024. Klubnik showed off a lot more with his legs in 2024, rushing for 463 yards and seven touchdowns.