Copyright Yardbarker
Justin Fields of the New York Jets is further proof evaluating quarterbacks is an inexact science. During a 13-6 loss to the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Fields was benched in the second half in favor of backup QB Tyrod Taylor after completing 6-of-12 passes for 46 yards and posting a lousy 11.5 QBR. On Monday, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn refused to name a starting QB for Week 8 against the Cincinnati Bengals. If Fields starts in Week 8, his career as a starter still may be over. The former Ohio State star is on his third team in five seasons and has yet to back up what NFL Draft "experts" said about him in 2021. What did experts say about Justin Fields? Fields — whom the Chicago Bears took with pick No. 11 in 2021 — was a member of the disappointing 2021 QB class, which featured five first-rounders. Along with Fields, it included Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars), Zach Wilson (Miami Dolphins), Trey Lance (Los Angeles Chargers) and Mac Jones (San Francisco 49ers). Only Lawrence remains with the team that selected him. Before the draft, The Ringer's Danny Kelly ranked Fields as his QB2 behind former Clemson standout Lawrence. "Fields is a sturdy, muscular signal-caller with a dynamic skill set," wrote Kelly. "He's not afraid to stare down pressure and looks like he's made of granite when playing in the pocket, evoking images of a mini-Cam Newton in the way pass-rushers just slip off him when trying to get a sack." Scouts Inc. and ESPN contributor Steve Muench wasn't as bullish on Fields but believed he had the skills to become a solid starter in the league. "Fields has a strong arm, good size [6-foot-3, 227 pounds] and outstanding top-end speed," wrote Muench in his predraft analysis. "The biggest knock is that he wants to see his receiver come open and will need to do a better job of anticipating, but he's an accurate passer who rarely misses on intermediate throws." Fast forward to 2025, and Justin Fields is struggling Fields is 0-6 in six starts this season and ranks 30th in the league in passing yards (845) and 31st in QBR (32.1). Many of the problems from his rookie season in Chicago are hindering him. "Like many rookie QBs last season, Fields clung to the ball too long and failed to hit his mark too often," wrote former ESPN analyst Todd McShay (now with The Ringer) in August 2022. "Holding onto the ball too long and being off target is a dangerous combination." And Fields has done both of those throughout his career. Per Pro Football Focus, he has averaged a snail-paced 3.27 seconds to throw in five seasons with the Bears, Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers. He has never completed more than 65.8 percent of his passes — close to the league average — in his career. Sure, Fields would have benefited from playing for better organizations. Neither the Bears nor the Jets have won a playoff game since the 2010 season. New York hasn't made it back to the postseason during this span. But Fields is another scouting miss at the most important position. He hasn't lived up to the predraft hype, and it doesn't look like he ever will.
