Justin Fields signed with the Jets as a free agent this offseason, agreeing to a two-year $40 million deal with Gang Green. Unlike his time at the Steelers, Fields goes into this season as the clear-cut QB1 on the roster, and that in itself boosts his fantasy football stock going into 2025. Fields had a slight scare at the start of training camp, dislocating his toe. He was listed as day-to-day by the team and is expected to be 100% for Week 1.
Fields will be reunited with his college teammate Garrett Wilson this year and is going into the season with little pressure compared to recent seasons. In Chicago, he was constantly scrutinized and under pressure to deliver after being drafted as the 11th pick in the 2021 draft. In Pittsburgh, he was battling it out with Russell Wilson. Now he is stepping into New York under the radar in a way, as the team has a new head coach, general manager and quarterback this season. Fields was also handed the starting role from the jump, and there isn’t another QB on the roster waiting in the wings. The pressure is off, the expectations are low and Fields has been given a great opportunity and a fresh start. Will he make the most out of it?
Fields’ fantasy stock has improved since last season simply because he goes into the year as a starter instead of in a QB training camp battle. If he stays healthy, there’s a good chance he plays all 17 games in 2025. His ability to use his legs will always make him an intriguing option in fantasy football. There are only a few signal callers in the league who can do what he can on the ground, and that will be the case again in 2025.
The question around Fields has always been about his passing of the football, and although we didn’t see much of him in 2024, the numbers indicate that he’s heading in the right direction. He had career highs in completion percentage, passer rating and touchdown to interception ratio. Fields only featured in 10 games because of the QB competition with Russell Wilson, so what success he could have had last season is still unknown. Fields was 4-2 as a starter and was a threat with his legs. He ran for just over 4.6 yards per carry and five touchdowns. If he were to have started 17 games instead of six, he easily would’ve rushed for double-digit touchdowns and over 500 yards.
Fields will have that opportunity in 2025, and let’s see what he does with it. The Jets have questions in the passing game outside of Garrett Wilson. They drafted former LSU TE Mason Taylor in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft, who should chip in outside of Wilson. From there, the biggest question is who will be the WR2. Allen Lazard, Josh Reynolds and fourth round pick Arian Smith will likely be the biggest candidates to emerge as the clear secondary option behind Wilson. Fields will need those guys to step up if they want this offense to be a decent passing attack. If Garrett Wilson is getting doubled, someone else will have to fill the void and provide an option for Fields.
I don’t think the Jets will set the world on fire in 2025, but Fields has everything he needs to have his personal best NFL season. He has the opportunity and the talent to do it. Now, it’s about executing.
