New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields expressed shock over his recent demotion, which has left his status uncertain as he navigates the challenges of the NFL. Fields, who was replaced by Tyrod Taylor last week, described his reaction as a “Damn” moment, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
I certainly didn’t expect it at all,” powered Fields during a press conference. His sudden benching represents the second-straight season he has faced this fortune. Despite his struggles, which include ranking 29th out of 33 qualified passers in Total QBR, Fields remains optimistic about his future in the league.
Fields signed a two-year deal with the Jets in March, valued at $40 million. He remains under contract through 2026, with $30 million of that total guaranteed. He’s already set to bring in $20 million next season, which includes $10 million guaranteed. His position as a starter appears to be at risk. This Sunday, Tyrod Taylor will be in command under center as the Jets host the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium.
In a post-game interview explaining how he’s feeling now, Fields spoke about the personal impact of being benched. It’s the emotional rollercoaster of life and I’m in a — as they say — quote-unquote — valley at the moment. It’s not going to do nothing except make me tougher on the back end of it,” he said.
Although this was an unfortunate turn of events, Fields continues to view himself as a starter and hopes to return to that role. The second point he made was the importance of remaining optimistic and being ready when opportunity knocks. You know, you just have to approach life with an optimistic outlook. I’m blessed to be in this position, and I know I’m going to get another shot. And that’s all that counts at the end of the day. I just want to be prepared for that time,” Fields stated. I have an opportunity to be the best player I’ve ever been on the field!
The former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback made the Pro Bowl in 2015, starting last season with a solid 4-2 record before getting log jammed by Russell Wilson. For his career, Fields is 16-37 as a starting QB. This includes a pathetic 2-7 record with the Jets.
Though he’s still figuring out where he’ll go next, Fields is resolute in his defense of making a career in politics. He stated, “I’m not going to have that mindset in terms of, ‘Oh, they benched me. I’m not going to play here.’”
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