It was a contract that was perhaps a tad profligate.
On March 13, 2025, the Jets signed QB Justin Fields to a two-year deal for $40 million with $30 million guaranteed.
Considering Fields’ record as an NFL starter was 14-30 when he got that deal, that contract seemed a little expensive.
I’ve been wanting to ask about that contract, and the thinking behind its largesse, and finally got that opportunity in the Darren Mougey/Aaron Glenn presser on Tuesday.
Here is what Mougey said:
“I think that’s a good question, I understand the question. We had a clear vision for Justin and a good plan. Now obviously, the season didn’t go as planned and that’s for many reasons. There’s not one person, player, coach, system of why we ended winning three games, but that’s part of this week’s process, it’s us diving in and really reflecting on the season and the lessons learned moving forward.”
“The lessons moving forward” include being careful with the contracts you dole out in a cap sport. If Mac Jones got 8.41 million over two years from San Francisco, why give Fields that kind of coin?
No issue with bringing Fields in on a deal like Jones, to kick the tires and see if you resurrect his career.
But $30 million guaranteed with the inconsistent film from his first four NFL seasons?
Now, this blog isn’t meant to point a finger at Mougey, because it’s unclear if he was the driving force behind signing the player or giving him that kind of coin.
But this contract is one of many “lessons moving forward” for the Jets’ new regime.
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