NY Jets' Jaxson Dart rumors quashed with emphatic Justin Fields stance

The New York Jets believe in Justin Fields. A telling statement from general manager Darren Mougey confirmed that fact in no uncertain terms.

Something that should also quash the rumors of a potential splash for one of the up-and-coming quarterbacks emerging from the college ranks this spring.

Fields still has enough scope to improve further. He doesn't have the glittering credentials of recently released veteran Aaron Rodgers, but he doesn't have anywhere near the same baggage either.

The Jets feel like there is something to salvage where Fields is concerned. His time with the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't go according to plan, despite accumulating a winning record before Russell Wilson took the starting job. That was enough for Mougey to make a decent commitment to the former Ohio State standout when all hope seemed lost.

NY Jets' supreme confidence in Justin Fields provides telling insight into draft plans

A two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million guaranteed was enough to secure Fields' services. Although some questioned the move, Moughey outlined his supreme belief in the signal-caller, stating the Jets plan to do everything possible in pursuit of finally solving their complex conundrum under center.

"We believe Justin is the starter. We believe in Justin. We believe we can win with Justin, so we're excited about Justin. You saw it last year. He was 4-2 as the starter and probably had some of the best quarterback play of his career. We're going to do everything to support him when he gets here."

Darren Mougey

Some analysts have speculated whether the Jets might be interested in Ole Miss prospect Jaxson Dart as a fallback option if Fields cannot meet expectations. Projections are sketchy at best regarding the quarterback, who could go in the top 10 or drop out of the first round entirely, depending on which mock draft you read.

The Jets should focus their attention on other position groups. This isn't the deepest quarterback class. Spending their high-end capital on other areas is preferable. If Fields cannot make a better go of things in a different environment, those in power can find his potential replacement in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is expected to have big names aplenty.

This is all Fields wanted. He's talented, but something has prevented his last two places of employment from giving him that all-important confidence boost. Perhaps this can be the spark that ignites him to bigger and better things moving forward.

There are far worse situations Fields could have found himself in. The Jets are embarking on an exciting new era with Aaron Glenn leading the charge. They have an exciting young defense, some outstanding weapons at the skill positions, and an offensive line that remains a work in progress but could improve under a different set of ideas.

It's the last chance saloon for Fields, there's no getting away from that. However, there's a growing sense within the organization that this sort of environment is exactly what the 2021 first-round pick needs to finally reach his pre-draft billing.

And the Jets will be on hand to help him every step of the way.

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