Justin Fields outlines retirement plan as New York Jets move on with $107m replacement

Justin Fields’ time with the New York Jets appears to be over.

After signing a two-year, $40 million contract in 2025, the quarterback was benched for Tyrod Taylor following a 2-8 start.

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Geno Smith is set to be handed a shot with Gang Green, who swapped late round picks with the Las Vegas Raiders to sign him.

The Raiders will be paying the bulk of his salary to facilitate the trade, and the Jets are expected to bring in another veteran and cut Fields.

Despite struggling with the Pittsburgh Steelers, there is a reason the Chicago Bears drafted the dual-threat star 11th overall in 2021.

Plenty of teams will be in the market for the 27-year-old’s services, although Fields may have to take a backup job and try to force his way back into being a starter.

Further down the line, he has grander plans.

“I think I want to be a missionary,” Fields said on The Walk podcast in December. “I think I want to go to different countries, go to different places and be able to spread His word and just help people find Christ and help people just get that relationship started with Him.

“I’ve actually been talking to a few friends, and I’m going to try to go somewhere, whether it’s somewhere in Africa or just somewhere where people haven’t, necessarily, gotten the opportunity to build that relationship, or even get that relationship started. So I think that’s what I’m going to pursue.”

The speedster already helps others through his Justin Fields Foundation and faith has helped him navigate life as a pro athlete.

“I would say I just kind of got like this just the past six months,” Fields said of reading the Bible in August. “I’m glad I’ve grown out of that stage, and I’m glad that the only approval I need is from my teammates, my coaches and God, ultimately.

“I’m being real — there’s some great lines and great wisdom that I didn’t even know of.

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“I’m low-key addicted to getting in my Bible each and every day just because I learn something new every day and I’m able to apply it in my everyday life.

“I was sleeping on reading the Bible earlier in my life, and I wish I would’ve started earlier. So I encourage you all to go read a little bit, starting in Proverbs then move on from there.”

Justin Fields looking for new team

Fields’ immediate priority is finding a new team.

The Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers have both been touted, as has a shock reunion.

“Given how last season went, it’s easy to forget that Fields played well for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024 before Russell Wilson got healthy and assumed the starting role,” Bleacher Report’s Andrew Peters wrote.

“Pittsburgh is still waiting on a decision from quarterback Aaron Rodgers, but even if the veteran returns, it will likely be a one-year deal that will end with him retiring.

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“Fields could serve as a solid backup and potentially earn the starting role in 2027.”

Mike Tomlin was the coach who decided to bench Fields in favor of Wilson and ultimately drop both to sign Rodgers.

His replacement Mike McCarthy brings a clean slate, although he does have history with Rodgers, and could well fancy a man with Fields’ skills, especially with the Jets footing most of the bill.

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