It’s hard to cut ties in the NFL. But let’s be honest — it’s part of the business. The Pittsburgh Steelers made that clear when they moved on from dual-threat quarterback Justin Fields, despite his flashes of promise. When the Steelers parted ways with Fields after the 2024 season, it caught more than a few fans off guard. The former first-round pick finished with a 4–2 record as Pittsburgh’s starter before being benched in favor of veteran gunslinger Russell Wilson.
Ironically, both quarterbacks have since found new homes — and both have found themselves on the bench again.
For Fields, that new home was supposed to be a fresh start with the New York Jets. A team desperate for stability. A franchise craving leadership and consistency at the most important position in football. Instead, Fields has found himself right back under the microscope — this time, with unfair criticism coming from the top of the organization.
Jets owner Woody Johnson’s recent comments about the team’s winless start raised eyebrows across the league.
“It’s hard when you have a quarterback with the rating that we’ve got,” Johnson said. “He has the ability, but something is not jiving. If you look at any head coach with a quarterback like that, you’re going to see similar results. You have to play consistent at that position.”
Sure, there’s truth in what Johnson said — quarterback play does dictate results. But here’s the problem: most of what he said doesn’t really apply to Justin Fields.
Pittsburgh Steelers fans should want Justin Fields to land on his feet
Through six games, Fields has seven touchdowns and zero interceptions. That’s not a misprint. He’s protecting the football and is trying to make smart decisions. His 1,102 passing yards might rank near the bottom of the league, but efficiency matters too — and Fields hasn’t been the reason the Jets are 0-6.
The numbers suggest he’s doing his part, even if the results haven’t come.
What Johnson and the Jets front office fail to acknowledge is the environment surrounding their quarterback. The play-calling has been unimaginative, the offensive line has been porous, and the receiving corps has been inconsistent at best. It’s hard to succeed when you’re constantly in poor positions.
In Pittsburgh, Fields was let go because the Steelers opted for experience over potential. But at least the Steelers gave him structure — a solid defense, a competent run game, and a clear offensive identity. In New York, Fields is being asked to perform miracles with chaos all around him.
It’s easy for ownership to point fingers at the man under center, but accountability has to be shared. Coaching matters. Schemes matter. Culture matters. And when all three are lacking, no quarterback — not even one as dynamic as Justin Fields — can be expected to thrive.
The truth is simple: the Pittsburgh Steelers let a dual-threat quarterback who protects the football slip away, and now the New York Jets seem poised to waste him too. If the Jets can’t win a single game with Justin Fields — a player who’s doing nearly everything right statistically — then the issue is bigger than the quarterback.
It’s systemic. And if Woody Johnson can’t see that, the Jets’ losing ways are destined to continue, no matter who lines up under center.