The New York Jets made what appears to be a pretty strong commitment to quarterback Justin Fields this offseason when they signed the former first-round pick to a two-year, $40 million contract in free agency.
However, if Fields has proven anything during his NFL career so far, it’s that he’s more of a runner than a passer. Perhaps that will work just fine for coach Aaron Glenn and will lead Gang Green to a winning record in 2025.
But if the former Bears turned Steelers quarterback doesn’t show progress as a passer this season, the Jets could decide to tap into the first-round quarterback market in the 2026 NFL Draft.
It’s what the latest 2026 mock draft from NFL Spin Zone has the Jets doing with the fifth overall pick, where GM Darren Mougey selects Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
I firmly believe that new #Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza will be in QB1 talks all year long.
Elite downfield passer, with the tape proving it: pic.twitter.com/zeEcoXqnr9
— Andy (@AndyyNFL) June 22, 2025
“The New York Jets were rumored to be in the market for quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft, but I think they wisely passed and decided to invest in the offensive line with the Armand Membou selection,” wrote Sayre Bedinger. “The Jets have one year to see what they’ve got in Justin Fields, but if they’ve got a top-five pick next year, it likely means things went poorly for Fields. And if that’s the case, they’re going to need to target a QB with this pick. Fernando Mendoza is quickly rising up everyone’s draft boards these days and with a big year at Indiana, he could contend for the #1 overall pick.
“Key X-factor for this season: Establishing a physical culture under Aaron Glenn. Allow a QB to step right into the offense and have success.”
It makes sense that the Jets will be an offseason favorite to be a first-round QB team in any 2026 NFL draft content, but there’s a long way to go before we can say for sure that Glenn and the rest of the Jets’ decision makers would be willing to move on from Fields.
Call it a hunch, but I think Fields will be more than just fine as New York’s quarterback in 2025. I believe he will make good on his first-round pedigree and lock down a long-term starting gig with the Jets and become a fan-favorite for a franchise that’s lacked a franchise quarterback for a very long time.
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