Ripple effects of a pending Jets quarterback move reveal major financial stakes and point toward a bigger pivot ahead
Justin Fields is expected to be released.
The New York Jets are expected to keep Darren Mougey and head coach Aaron Glenn. And their biggest decision in the 2026 offseason is undoing what they did in their first offseason together at the quarterback position. After treading water for a year with Justin Fields, the Jets need a long-term solution, and ESPN’s Rich Cimini reported that the Jets will likely move on from Fields.
Financial repercussions from moving on from Justin Fields
Right now, Justin Fields is slated to make $20 million in 2026, with a $23 million cap hit. But $10 million of that is fully guaranteed, completing the $30 million in fully guaranteed at signing amount that the quarterback got last offseason.
If the Jets release Fields, like it’s expected, the team will have only $1 million in cap savings and $22 million in dead money — $10 million in cash, plus $12 million of a signing bonus already paid that was prorated with void years to lower the initial cap hit.
In the case the Jets decide to apply a post-June 1 designation on Fields, the 2026 dead money would go down to $13 million, with $10 million in cap savings. However, there would be $9 million in dead money set to hit in 2027.
In the unlikely scenario that the Jets are able to trade Justin Fields, the dead money would be $12 million, as the salary guarantees in 2026 would move to the new team — in this specific case, though, the Jets would likely have to absorb part of Fields’ salary to facilitate a trade, increasing the dead money anyway.
A 26-year-old quarterback, Justin Fields had already played for the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers. In his first season for the Jets, Fields completed 62.7% of his passes for 1,259 passing yards, seven touchdowns, one interception, and an 89.5 passer rating, plus 71 rushing attempts for 383 yards, and four touchdowns. Fields started nine games for New York.
The future is coming (once again)
The Jets are once again looking for a new option at quarterback. Justin Fields is expected to be released, and veteran Tyrod Taylor is set to become a free agent. The only quarterback under contract for 2026 is Brady Cook.
With a 3-14 record, the Jets secured the second overall pick — and a new young passer will probably be on his way.
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