Justin Fields OK for Now, But Remember This Is the Jets

Justin Fields OK for Now, But Remember This Is the Jets originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

While early reports indicate that Jets quarterback Justin Fields is “day to day” with a toe injury that he suffered on Thursday, the near-miss was a reminder that the New York Jets are always one snap away from chaos. The news puts a spotlight on a quarterback situation that felt solid but might be more shaky than everyone realized.

The original report was dire – Fields was “carted off the field” with a lower leg/foot injury. Considering the Jets’ injury history with quarterbacks like Vinny Testaverde, Chad Pennington and Aaron Rodgers, fans assumed the worst. At 10 a.m. ET, most of New York assumed Fields was done for the year and Tyrod Taylor would be the starter.

Excitement about Fields’ chances of becoming a breakout star faded into resignation that the team would be looking at quarterbacks in the draft. But this fan base is tired of always waiting for next year. They have the longest streak in all North American pro sports of missing the playoffs – 14 seasons. Going through the motions with Taylor for 18 weeks appealed to no one. Even with Fields currently expected to be OK, they might want to think bigger about this year’s QB room.

New general manager Darren Mougey would be wise to go back to his office and dust off his list of backup options in case something really bad does happen. Fields feels like a character from the Final Destination movie franchise, where everyone narrowly avoids death but it inevitably comes back to get them. Fields might be OK now, but the injury gods are always looming in Florham Park.

Mougey and the Jets are not alone. The image of Fields driving off on a cart was a reminder that quarterback injuries happen every summer. A smart GM has a “Break in Case of Emergency” quarterback list handy at all times.

If the unthinkable happens and a starter goes down, here are the first set of names GMs should go after ....

Kirk Cousins

Cousins wants an opportunity to start and the Falcons want to unload his $37.5 million of remaining guaranteed money. A serious quarterback injury could be the only way to make both of those things happen. Cousins fits any offense that has been influenced by Kyle Shanahan ... which is almost all of them.

Cousins to the Jets would be a bit more complicated because he turned down a lucrative offer from them in 2018 to go to Minnesota. However, that was an old regime. He would be a departure style-wise from Fields. But Cousins fits the mold of Jared Goff, who Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand worked with in Detroit.

Carson Wentz

The lack of offseason buzz around Wentz is surprising after he went through QB rehab with Andy Reid in K.C. and Sean McVay in L.A. He was ineffective for the Chiefs in a 38-0 Week 18 loss to the Broncos last season, but he threw just 17 passes in a game the Chiefs didn’t need to win.

The Jets could be cautious on Wentz because of his reputation as a locker room problem. That seemed to be part of the reason the Eagles moved on and he’s been on four different teams in four years since then. But he did have one positive statistical season during that span – in ’21, he threw 27 TDs and 7 INTs for the Colts.

Hendon Hooker

The Detroit Lions backup is 27 and has only attempted nine passes in his two-year NFL career. Coach Dan Campbell publicly said he’s not even a lock for the No. 2 job. Hooker doesn’t look like he’s going to get a shot in Detroit. Wouldn’t be hard to connect the dots to his passing game coordinator Engstrand in New York.

It’s strange that Hooker has never been considered anywhere for a larger role. Before he tore up his knee at Tennessee, he seemed to be a first-round talent and future starter. If an injury happens in New York or elsewhere, it’s worth at least calling the Lions to see if they will give away a once-promising prospect.

Kenny Pickett

The Browns have a crowded quarterback room with Pickett, Joe Flacco, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Someone has to go. Hard to imagine them cutting the two rookies – Gabriel and Sanders. That means the battle for the third roster spot would come down to Pickett and Flacco. Pickett would get more in a trade because he’s only 27.

The Jets had Flacco as a backup and probably aren’t eager for him to return. Pickett at least offers upside for New York or any team that has an injury and wants to take a flyer on a younger arm.

Jameis Winston

The Giants jumped on Winston first in free agency. The plan likely was not to have two veterans in Winston and Russell Wilson and then draft Jaxson Dart in the first round. While no longer considered an option as a first-line starter, Winston offers more upside as a passer than Taylor for the Jets.

On the surface, Winston seem like a match with Glenn’s no-nonsense coaching style. But Glenn is coming from a Lions team run by the always optimistic Dan Campbell. Maybe Winston’s late-career sunny disposition would be welcomed on the Jets.

Winston’s future is tied to Dart’s performance in camp. If the Giants think Dart is ready to be the primary backup, Winston could have to find a new home this summer.

Andy Dalton

Carolina is a fine backup job for Dalton. But the 37-year-old Dalton would jump at an opportunity to play again. Statistically, he was solid with the Saints in ’22 – finishing with 18 TDs, 9 INTs and a 95.2 passer rating. 

Dalton would immediately provide hope for a team like the Jets if Fields had to miss significant time. He’d also provide consistent leadership for a young offensive unit that has to figure itself out after the messy Rodgers years.

Jake Browning

The Bengals signed hometown legend Desmond Ridder to be the third-string QB last week. Perhaps they could be tempted to give up their backup, Browning, who had a brief run as “a guy” in ’23 after Joe Burrow got hurt. Browning had seven starts and threw for 1,936 yards, 12 TDs and 7 INTs and led the league with a 70.4 completion percentage.

Browning feels older because he played at the University of Washington back in ’18. But he’s 29 and has only played in 12 games as a pro. There could be more upside here than your average career backup.

Derek Carr

Good luck figuring out what happened with Carr and the Saints. No matter what the veteran quarterback says about his health, his relationship with the team had to be a factor in his decision to retire. It would be complicated for the Jets or any other team to acquire Carr. New Orleans still has his rights and could ask for meaningful draft picks to acquire the veteran quarterback. Carr, who has a no-trade clause, also said that he wouldn’t be 100 percent without getting shoulder surgery.

The story usually changes with retired quarterbacks after they get some time away from the game. Carr is just 34. His retirement felt strange at the time so general managers will be calling for the next couple of years.  

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.