“I don’t really like to answer rhetorical questions.” That’s Justin Fields, who appears to have read the script, seen the ending twist, and is now consciously deciding to change the last act while standing at a platform. He is not there to lecture you. Not available to act as a therapist for your draft speculations. He is here to work and, perhaps, to dodge the slow-motion car crash currently known as: The Kirk Cousins Experience: QB accepts a job, gets replaced, and smiles pitifully.

Let’s face it, the NFL Draft blindsided Kirk Cousins in his own huddle. He received $180 million and a golden ticket to be QB1 from Atlanta. Then they blinked, turned around, and selected Michael Penix Jr. with the eighth overall pick. That’s not just a slap in the face—that’s a two-handed WWE-style chair shot to the confidence.

And now? That precise storm cloud is seen building over East Rutherford by Justin Fields. Because while Fields recently signed a two-year contract for $40 million with the Jets, the mock drafts continue to circulate. Yahoo Sports predicts New York will go wide receiver at No. 7 overall. But if the Jets throw a curveball and draft a quarterback? Boom. Cousins Fate, Jets sequel.

Fields is aware of it. The media’s aware too. Fans who are yelling in the comments section of JPAFootball’s tweet are undoubtedly aware of this. So when a reporter tossed him that casual “Hey, what if they draft a QB?” grenade, Fields didn’t back down. He remained calm. He just dropped this icy, calculated sentence: “I don’t really like to answer rhetorical questions, but like I said, I’m willing to teach. However, I’m not really interested in, you know, rhetorical questions… I think that’s above my pay grade, so I’m gonna roll with whatever they choose.”

So, Fields said everything, but he didn’t say much. That phrase is full of quiet resistance that doesn’t require a mic-drop press conference or an Instagram hype video. Fields isn’t begging for belief—he’s betting on himself. This isn’t a guy hoping to hold on to the job. This guy intends to make it indisputable. And to be honest, the Jets didn’t give him QB1 reps and $40 million in April, only to throw him into a backup blender in August. It’s not a bridge contract; they signed him to create something, and unless he makes a huge mess of it, he will get the first opportunity to prove himself.

And, this isn’t Chicago 2.0, anyhow. He’s not walking into another dysfunctional rebuild with a patched-up line and no receivers in sight. If the Jets go wideout at No. 7—and they should—Fields could be lining up next season with Garrett Wilson and Tetairoa McMillan flanking him, not to mention the vet presence of Tyrod Taylor behind him instead of some raw, green-rookie QB breathing down his neck. Remember that Tanner Engstrand, the new OC, was brought on board for a reason. He is skilled at creating offences that are suited for quarterbacks who are dual threats. Fields may be in the finest position of his career, not just in a better one. You don’t give a placeholder that setup.

So, Justin Fields’ message? Draft who you want. I’ll be right here. Still QB1. Still working. Fields just pulled the most New York move possible: give the media nothing while saying everything. But talk is cheap in New York. Especially when your locker room smells like the ghosts of QBs past.

Locker room energy shifted—Justin Fields just flipped the culture switch

It could have been fluff at that moment. “What about the Jets makes you feel like you can finally lock in as an NFL starter? What about the situation, do you really like?” was a softball question posed by the SNY Jets during a press conference held at the Jets’ facilities. “The culture” is what Fields could have said. He might have added, “Aaron Rodgers’ wisdom.” He had the option to mention “a fresh start.”

But instead? He pointed to the people. “Yeah. I think just the people, you know, in the building. The coaches, my teammates, and really just everybody that’s ready to, you know, get this thing rolling and get this thing going… I know everybody around here is very excited, and so am I. So, I’m really just ready to get to work.” That’s not about vibes. That’s about vision. That’s Fields saying: This isn’t a bridge stop. This is my foundation. And the message is clear: I didn’t come to hold a clipboard. I came to claim a team.

Because the Jets quarterbacks haven’t exactly had a good run in history. Since 2020, they’ve started seven different QBs and will hit eight in 2025. Sam Darnold. Zach Wilson. Joe Flacco. Mike White. Tim Boyle. Aaron Rodgers (for four snaps). And now? Unless he reverses the order, Justin Fields is the most recent name on that list.

And if the Jets want to help him do that, they better load the weapons. That’s why mock drafts have Arizona stud wideout Tetairoa McMillan on the radar—a 6’5” skyscraper who racked up 1,319 yards last year despite limping through half the season. Add him next to Garrett Wilson, and suddenly, you’ve got a duo that could either save Justin Fields or turbocharge his replacement.

Either way, Fields knows what’s at stake. He’s not blind to the chaos. He’s lived it—replaced in Chicago, replaced again in Pittsburgh, and now tossed into a Jets quarterback blender that hasn’t stopped spinning since Mark Sanchez left. But this time? Fields has the tools. He has the team (maybe). And most importantly, he’s got that subtle snarl—the kind of chip on your shoulder that says, “Draft another quarterback if you want. I dare you to bench me.”