Honestly, trying to keep track of where Justin Fields is playing these days feels a bit like chasing a scramble drill. Just when you think you’ve got him pinned down in one city, he’s off to the next. If you’re asking what team is Justin Fields on right now, the answer—for the 2025-2026 season—is the New York Jets.
But that’s only half the story.
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The guy has had a wild ride over the last couple of years. He went from being the "savior" in Chicago to a bridge option in Pittsburgh, and now he’s in the middle of a massive spotlight in New York that hasn't exactly gone according to plan. It’s been a rollercoaster, and if you haven't been obsessively refreshing NFL Twitter (or X, whatever), you might have missed a few chapters.
The Big Move: How Fields Landed in New York
In March 2025, the Jets decided to finally move on from the Aaron Rodgers era. It was a "swing for the fences" kind of moment. They signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, with $30 million of that guaranteed. At the time, it looked like a win-win. Fields wanted a guaranteed starting job, and the Jets needed a dual-threat playmaker who could survive behind an offensive line that... well, let's just say it's been a work in progress for a decade.
Before that, he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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People often forget how weird that 2024 season was for him. He actually started the first six games in Pittsburgh while Russell Wilson was nursing a calf injury. He went 4-2! He looked decent! But Mike Tomlin eventually went back to the veteran Wilson, and Fields spent the rest of the year watching from the sidelines. When free agency hit in early 2025, Fields made it clear: he didn't want to be a backup anymore. He wanted to lead a huddle.
A Quick Timeline of the Teams
- 2021–2023: Chicago Bears (The "Potential" Era)
- 2024: Pittsburgh Steelers (The "Waiting Room" Year)
- 2025–Present: New York Jets (The "Reclamation" Project)
Why the 2025 Season Was Such a Mess
If you’re looking for Fields on the field right this second, you won’t find him. The Jets officially placed him on Injured Reserve (IR) in late December 2025. He’s dealing with a persistent knee injury that just wouldn't heal right.
The stats from his 2025 run aren't pretty. He went 2-7 as a starter. While he still has that elite speed—rushing for 383 yards and four touchdowns in just nine games—the passing game struggled to find any rhythm. He finished the year with 1,259 passing yards, seven touchdowns, and just one interception. Wait, one interception? That sounds great, right?
Well, the problem was the sacks. He got dropped 27 times in those nine games. Basically, the Jets' offense became a cycle of "run for 10 yards, get sacked for 8, throw a check-down." It was frustrating for everyone involved.
What Really Happened With the Steelers?
There’s this narrative that the Steelers "gave up" on Fields. That’s not quite right. Mike Tomlin actually spoke about it recently, calling the departure a "mutual" decision. The Steelers weren't willing to match the $20 million per year that the Jets offered. Plus, Pittsburgh had their eyes on other veteran options and younger draft prospects.
Fields was basically a luxury backup in Pittsburgh. He learned under Russell Wilson and improved his turnover rate significantly, but he wasn't going to beat out a healthy Wilson for the long-term job. So, he took the money and the starting opportunity in New Jersey.
The $20 Million Question: Is He Staying?
This is where things get tricky. Even though Fields is under contract with the Jets for the 2026 season, there is a ton of chatter about a split.
The Jets are currently sitting on the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. When you have a pick that high and your current quarterback just went 2-7, you start looking at college tapes. Names like Fernando Mendoza from Indiana and Dante Moore from Oregon are being linked to the Jets constantly.
If the Jets decide to move on, they’ll have to eat about $22 million in dead cap. That’s a massive pill to swallow. But in the NFL, if you think you’ve found "The Guy" in the draft, you pay whatever it takes to clear the deck.
Possible Destinations for 2026
- Pittsburgh Steelers (The Reunion): Some insiders think a return to Pittsburgh as a high-end backup makes too much sense.
- Seattle Seahawks: They’ve always liked mobile quarterbacks, and a fresh start in the NFC might help.
- Atlanta Falcons: A homecoming for the Georgia native? It’s a rumor that never seems to die.
The Reality of Being Justin Fields
Being an NFL quarterback is hard. Being a "dual-threat" quarterback who everyone expects to be the next Lamar Jackson is harder. Fields has now played for three different teams in five years. He’s had to learn three different playbooks. That kind of instability can break even the most talented players.
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Honestly, he’s still one of the most athletic humans on the planet. When he breaks a tackle and outruns a linebacker, you see the 1st-round talent. But the NFL is a "what have you done for me lately" league. Right now, "lately" involves a knee injury and a lot of losses in Meadowlands.
What You Should Watch For
If you're a fan of Fields or just trying to keep up for your fantasy league, keep your eyes on the March 2026 free agency window. That is when we will know for sure if the Jets are cutting him or trying to trade him.
Next Steps for Following the Saga:
- Check the NFL Combine reports in February to see if the Jets are meeting with top QB prospects.
- Monitor the Jets' salary cap moves; if they start restructuring other deals, they might be preparing to eat Fields' dead cap hit.
- Look for any news on his knee rehab—his trade value depends entirely on him being 100% mobile again.
The story of Justin Fields isn't over, but the New York chapter is looking like a short one. Whether he's a Jet, a Steeler, or something else entirely by next September, it’s going to be the biggest talking point of the offseason.