Playing quarterback for the New York Jets isn’t for the faint of heart.
Justin Fields learned that the hard way on Thursday morning. The quarterback was carted off the field during the team’s second practice of training camp, which head coach Aaron Glenn later revealed to be a toe injury.
Glenn didn’t know the severity of the issue, so it’s unclear how much time Fields will miss – if any.
While Jets fans can seemingly breathe a sigh of relief for now, it’s the unfortunate reminder of just how fragile an NFL season can be. It’s been over seven months since the Jets played a football game that counted in the standings and the next season could’ve ended in the blink of an eye with a bad injury to the wrong player.
In our fast-paced world, people will undoubtedly wonder what comes next.
Whether Fields has to miss time or not, it’s important to evaluate the options that are available if the quarterback will be forced out of action for any length of time.
Jets QB options
Tyrod Taylor
Taylor is the logical, and probably best, choice to step in for Fields. He has plenty of starting experience and signed to be the Jets’ backup ahead of the 2024 season. As the clear QB2 on the depth chart, Taylor should get the first crack at the job.
Behind Taylor on the depth chart are unproven players Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook. Martinez has only spent time in the NFL as a camp body and practice squad passer. Cook was signed as an undrafted free agent this offseason.
Kirk Cousins
There could be some bad blood between Cousins and the Jets, even though the old front office and coaching staff are no longer employed by the team. It’s unclear whether they would actually pursue this option, but Cousins is the best quarterback that could be available via trade.
There’s a lot of money on the table for the guy that just signed with the Atlanta Falcons last offseason, however, and pressing this button may be a bit premature.
Carson Wentz
The best of the free agent quarterback options, Wentz is far removed from his days of being an MVP candidate with the Philadelphia Eagles. While he didn’t play in the New York market, he is familiar with the region thanks to his time with the Birds and comes with plenty of starting experience.
Serving as the backup for Patrick Mahomes in 2024 is an added bonus and maybe he can recapture the magic that made him a tantalizing talent early in his career.
Jameis Winston
Conventional wisdom suggests that the Jets and Giants wouldn’t make a trade given their status as roommates. However, these teams have done business before as the Jets dealt Leonard Williams to the Giants in 2019.
Winston is already relegated to a backup role behind Russell Wilson for Big Blue and Jaxson Dart is waiting in the wings. The Giants could benefit from cleaning up their quarterback room and Winston is someone that has played plenty of football over the years. It’s a move that would make sense for both sides.
Jets QB depth chart
Here is how the Jets’ QB depth chart looks after Fields:
Tyrod Taylor
Adrian Martinez
Brady Cook
Outside of Fields, Taylor is the only quarterback with any legitimate NFL experience – starting 58 games in 14 seasons.
Martinez was an undrafted free agent that played in the UFL in 2024 and spent the NFL season on the Jets’ practice squad.
Cook just wrapped up his college career at Missouri, signing with the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2025 NFL Draft in April.
Justin Fields injury update
Fields suffered a toe injury in practice after being stepped on. It’s not the big toe, but the one ailing Fields is dislocated, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Glenn said the team doesn’t know the severity of the issue at this time, but early reports say there is no fracture. The quarterback will be getting an MRI as the team gathers information.
Fields was carted off the field after being evaluated by trainers.
How long is Justin Fields out?
It’s unclear how long Fields will be out, if he misses any time at all. Glenn stressed that the team doesn’t know the severity of the injury, so it’s too early to say what will happen.
Information regarding Fields’ status will become clearer after the tests are done.
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