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The Good, Bad And Ugly From The Packers’ Miraculous Win Over The Bears

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The Good, Bad And Ugly From The Packers’ Miraculous Win Over The Bears

The 209th meeting between the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears had everything you could want.

Intensity. Drama. And last-second theatrics.

Green Bay defensive lineman Karl Brooks blocked a 46-yard Cairo Santos field goal attempt as time expired allowing Green Bay to escape Soldier Field with a 20-19 win.

“I’m visualizing myself blocking the kick,” Brooks said afterwards. “And like I said, I just wanted it more. I just fired off the ball and wanted to get a win.”

The Packers won their 11th straight game in this series that dates back to 1921. That’s now the longest winning streak in the history of this rivalry.

Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur also stayed perfect against Chicago, improving to 11-0 in his career against the Bears.

Green Bay improved to 51-15 against the Bears since the start of the 1992 season and now leads this historic series 108-95-6.

Here’s the ‘Good, Bad and Ugly’ from the Packers’ latest win in this lopsided rivalry.

THE GOOD

KARL BROOKS: The second-year defensive lineman from Bowling Green got his left middle finger on a Cairo Santos field goal kick as time expired, allowing his team to improve to 7-3. The Bears fell to 4-6 and lost their fourth straight game.

“It was just an unbelievable feeling,” Brooks said. “At first when I touched it, I didn’t think I got enough of it and it fell short and that’s when I really celebrated, so it was fun, though, for sure. It was cool. It was a good experience.”

The Packers spotted something on film early last week and believed they could come up with a block.

“Inside,” Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark said of the Bears’ weakness. “Inside at the guards.”

That’s exactly what happened.

Brooks and fellow defensive tackle T.J. Slaton collapsed the middle. Brooks got his 32-inch left arm up and got denied Santos and the Bears.

“We knew there was a high possibility of blocking a kick,” Packers guard Sean Rhyan said. “We didn’t know where in the game it was going to come from, it just happened to be the last one of the game, the most important one. And we got it.”

THE BEAT GOES ON: Since the start of the 1992 season, Green Bay is now a remarkable 51-15 against the Bears — a whopping .773 winning percentage. Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur has played a huge role in the dominance, going 11-0 in his 5 1/2 years with the Packers.

Mike Holmgren started the fun by going 12-2 against the Bears (.857) between 1992-1998. Holmgren also won his final 10 games against Chicago.

Ray Rhodes was 1-1 (.500), Mike Sherman was 8-4 (.667), then Mike McCarthy was a sensational 19-7 (.731) that included a win over the Bears in the 2010 NFC Championship Game.

Joe Philbin was 0-1 as Green Bay’s interim head coach in 2018, and now LaFleur has taken things to another level.

“I’m not worried about what’s happened in the past,” LaFleur said. “It’s one game. It’s great to come away with a win when you don’t feel like you necessarily played your best, but that’s a competitive football team. The margin of error in this league is so minimal.”

SOLID START: Green Bay put together an impressive 8-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to open the game.

The Packers ran the ball five times, threw it three and Love capped the march with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jayden Reed. On the TD play, the Packers went hurry-up when they saw the Bears had 12 men on the field and Love and Reed hooked up for a score to give Green Bay a 7-0 lead.

CHRISTIAN WATSON: Green Bay’s third-year wideout has been quiet all season and entered the day with just 16 receptions for 233 yards.

But Watson had four receptions and set a new career-high with 150 receiving yards.

On Green Bay’s game-winning touchdown drive, Watson had a diving catch, wasn’t touched, then had the wherewithal to spring up and race 60 yards to Chicago’s 14-yard line.

Two plays later, Jordan Love plowed in from a 1-yard out to give the Packers a 20-19 lead.

Watson also had a 48-yard second half reception down to the Bears’ 8.

“Obviously I think it was a focus for us coming into this week was to try to keep getting him the ball, getting him some touches,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said of Watson. “Definitely a guy that we feel like we can keep trying to get him the ball and give him some of those opps down the field and obviously when we do, he had a really big catch, a contested catch, and went up and made a play. So I think it was a big time day for him.”

BRENTON COX: Second-year defensive end Brenton Cox figures to get more playing time after the trade of Preston Smith last week.

So far, so good.

Cox had his first career sack when he blew up Caleb Williams for a 10-yard loss. Cox also dumped Chicago running back D’Andre Swift for a 3-yard loss.

“It feels good,” Cox said. “Just taking advantage of the opportunity. I knew I had a lot on my plate, so just going out there and playing hard.”

THIS AND THAT: Daniel Whelan’s first punt was 47 yards and perfectly angled to the left corner where Corey Ballentine downed it at the 5. … Running back Josh Jacobs had 134 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.

THE BAD

CONTAINING CALEB: Chicago rookie quarterback Caleb Williams entered the day averaging 26.2 rushing yards per game. His high-water mark was 56 rushing yards in Week 4 against Jacksonville.

But Williams absolutely shredded Green Bay’s defense, rushing for 70 yards on nine carries. Williams averaged a whopping 7.7 yards per carry

“They had a lot of QB runs, QB-designed runs,” defensive end Rashan Gary said. “I said before the game he’s able to extend plays on his feet and he did that well today. I was surprised by how much designed runs there were, but that comes with having a new OC. There were some new things that we didn’t know that they were going to do and they did. So, it is what it is. We know now. Going into the next game, we’ll be better.”

END OF THE STREAK: Chicago scored its first touchdown in 26 drives in the final moments of the first half when Roschon Johnson ran over Quay Walker for a 1-yard score. That gave the Bears their first lead of the day at 10-7.

Interestingly, Johnson had the Bears’ last touchdown back in Week 8.

QUAY WALKER: The light has just never fully gone on for Green Bay’s third-year linebacker — and this game was more of the same.

Walker had a chance to sack Caleb Williams in the third quarter and inexplicably seemed to stop. Walker had Williams dead to rights on a fourth-and-1 play in the third quarter, but whiffed and the Bears quarterback scurried for a first down.

Walker had running back Roschon Johnson squared up on the goal line late in the first half, but Johnson was the more powerful player and carried Walker into the endzone.

Walker was a first round draft pick in 2022, but hasn’t lived up to that his lofty draft status. Sunday was the latest example.

JAIRE ALEXANDER: The Packers’ seventh year cornerback is a problem — on the field and on the books.

Alexander, who still has two years left on his four-year, $84 million contract, is the NFL’s third-highest paid cornerback. The problem is he’s a part-time player these days.

Alexander had missed 27 of Green Bay’s last 60 games heading into Sunday’s contest against Chicago. Alexander, who hasn’t played since Week 6 against Jacksonville, was questionable all week with a knee injury.

The Packers thought they were getting good news when Alexander showed enough in pregame warm-ups and was active. But Alexander lasted just 10 plays before leaving with that same knee injury.

It’s too late into the season to do anything with Alexander and his hefty contract. But it will be a top priority this offseason.

THIS AND THAT: Romeo Doubs had a costly second quarter drop on a third-and-3 that would have given the Packers a first down. … The Bears went 5-for-7 on third downs in the first half and 9-of-16 for the game.

THE UGLY

DEFENSELESS: The Bears had scored just 27 points in their last three games — a paltry average of 9.0.

Chicago gave up nine sacks last week. And the Bears fired their offensive coordinator this week.

In every way, shape and form, they were a mess.

Facing Green Bay’s mediocre defense will help a team get healthy, though.

Chicago piled up 391 yards. The Bears went 9-of-16 on third downs (56.3%). And Chicago held the ball 36 ½ minutes.

“We’ve just got to clean it up, man,” safety Xavier McKinney said. “It’s tough because I think that we can play way better ball than what we did today, but it’s hard to win in this league. When you do win, you’ve got to be somewhat happy about the win because it’s hard to win. But also, you’ve got to know that there’s a lot of things to improve on and we’ve got to do that moving forward.”

Green Bay’s defense has become completely reliant on forcing turnovers. If they can’t take the ball away, they struggle to get stops.

On Sunday, the Packers didn’t have a single takeaway and watched the Bears march up and down the field all afternoon.

THROWING IT ALL AWAY: The Packers had an impressive 7 ½ minute drive that ate up half the second quarter, but produced no points.

Green Bay drove to the Bears’ 5 and had a second-and-1. That’s when things went awry.

First, left guard Elgton Jenkins was penalized five yards for being downfield illegally. Then wideout Jayden Reed was dumped for a 5-yard loss, setting up a third-and 11.

Jordan Love then overthrew Tucker Kraft and into the waiting arms of cornerback Terrell Smith, who corralled the pass for his first career interception.

“We had Tucker Kraft right there kind of on a pivot route and I missed him on the throw,” Love said. “Just missed high. Obviously sailed over his head and DB was right there to make a play on it. Just, bad throw.”

DOUBLING UP: The Bears turned a 7-3 deficit into a 13-7 lead by scoring a touchdown on their final drive of the first half and a field goal on their opening drive of the second half.

Chicago put together a 13 play, 76-yard drive to finish the first half and capped it with a 1-yard TD drive from Roschon Johnson. The Bears then drove 61 yards in 10 plays to open the second half and got a 27-yard field goal from Cairo Santos to take a 13-7 lead.

Chicago possessed the ball for roughly 10 ½ straight minutes in that time — 5:42 to end the first half and 4:43 to open the second half.

 

 

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ESPN Analyst Casually Destroys Cowboys With Blunt Message About Their Free Agency Moves

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March 13, 2025

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ESPN Analyst Casually Destroys Cowboys With Blunt Message About Their Free Agency Moves

Jerry Jones said before NFL free agency began that the team wouldn’t be aggressive in trying to bring in new pieces that could help the franchise bounce back from a bad year. Well, it looks like he wasn’t lying because the Cowboys haven’t made a ton of moves, which has left fans and analysts wondering why they’ve chosen this route while most other teams are making big moves for the future.

On Wednesday the Cowboys lost DeMarcus Lawrence to the Seahawks, as the long-time edge rusher signed a three-year deal with Seattle. Moments after that move was announced, ESPN’s Ryan Clark tore into Jones and the Cowboys over their free agency plan:

“They don’t care,” Clark said on NFL Live. “I’m convinced the Cowboys don’t care. The Cowboys are just like, ‘It is what it is, dog. We’re going to see what happens. We ain’t trying to get better in the offseason.'”

The Cowboys, who finished 7-10 last season, own the No. 12 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. It seems like they’re going to be content to wait until April to make some bigger moves to help bolster their roster.

 

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BREAKING NEWS: Former New York Jets Coach Robert Saleh Joins Denver Broncos Shocks NFL Leaves Stunning Message for Woody Johnson following.

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3 days ago

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March 12, 2025

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BREAKING NEWS: Former New York Jets Coach Robert Saleh Joins Denver Broncos Shocks NFL Leaves Stunning Message for Woody Johnson following….

Former New York Jets Coach Robert Saleh Joins Denver Broncos, Leaves Stunning Message for Woody Johnson

The NFL world was caught off guard as former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh officially joined the Denver Broncos, marking a new chapter in his coaching career. However, what truly shocked fans and analysts alike was the message he left for Jets owner Woody Johnson, adding intrigue to his departure from New York. Saleh’s decision to move to Denver has sparked speculation about his tenure with the Jets, the reasons behind his departure, and what his presence could mean for the Broncos moving forward.

A Surprising Move to Denver

After three seasons as the head coach of the New York Jets, Robert Saleh’s tenure came to an abrupt end following the 2024 NFL season. While the Jets had high hopes for Saleh when he was hired in 2021, his time in New York was marred by inconsistency, struggles at the quarterback position, and an inability to reach the postseason. With his departure, many expected him to take a break from coaching or pursue a role as a defensive coordinator elsewhere.

Instead, Saleh wasted no time in securing his next opportunity, accepting a key role on Sean Payton’s staff with the Denver Broncos. The exact nature of his position has not yet been disclosed, but reports suggest that he will have significant input on the Broncos’ defensive scheme. Given Saleh’s reputation as a defensive mastermind, Denver could be looking to revamp its defense, which has faced challenges in recent seasons.

The Message That Shook Jets Fans

As if Saleh’s departure wasn’t surprising enough, his final message to Jets owner Woody Johnson added an unexpected layer of drama. According to sources close to the situation, Saleh left a statement that was both cryptic and pointed, leading to speculation about tensions within the Jets organization.

While the full details of the message have not been publicly released, insiders suggest that Saleh expressed his disappointment over how his tenure ended and may have hinted at frustrations regarding the team’s front office decisions.

One source described the message as “firm but professional,” indicating that Saleh didn’t hold back in sharing his thoughts. Some speculate that he may have been frustrated with how the Jets handled their quarterback situation, which included struggles with Zach Wilson and an ill-fated pursuit of Aaron Rodgers, who suffered a season-ending injury in his first game with the team.

Why Saleh’s Time in New York Fell Short

When Robert Saleh was hired by the Jets in 2021, he was seen as a rising star in the coaching ranks. As the former defensive coordinator of the San Francisco 49ers, he had built a reputation as a defensive guru with strong leadership qualities.

However, his tenure with the Jets was filled with challenges. Despite building one of the league’s top defensive units, the team’s offensive struggles held them back. The revolving door at quarterback, offensive line injuries, and inconsistent playcalling led to a lack of progress in the standings.

The 2024 season was particularly tough, as expectations were sky-high following the acquisition of Aaron Rodgers. However, Rodgers’ injury in Week 1 derailed those hopes, leaving Saleh to navigate another disappointing season. By the end of the year, it became clear that the Jets were ready to move in a different direction.

What Saleh Brings to Denver

For the Broncos, bringing in Saleh could be a major boost for their defense. Denver has struggled to maintain consistency on that side of the ball, and Saleh’s experience could provide much-needed stability. Under his leadership, the Jets consistently ranked among the league’s top defenses, even when the offense failed to support them.

Now, paired with head coach Sean Payton, Saleh has an opportunity to make a significant impact in Denver. If given control over the defense, he could help elevate the Broncos to contender status in the AFC West. His energy, intensity, and tactical knowledge make him a valuable addition to Payton’s coaching staff.

Reactions from Fans and Analysts

Unsurprisingly, Saleh’s move to Denver has led to mixed reactions from Jets fans. Some believe that he was unfairly let go and should have been given more time, especially considering the bad luck with injuries. Others argue that the team needed a fresh start and that Saleh’s departure was inevitable.

On the Broncos’ side, fans are excited about the addition of a proven defensive mind. Many believe that Saleh’s presence will strengthen a defense that has struggled in recent seasons. Analysts have also weighed in, noting that this move could allow Saleh to rebuild his reputation and potentially position himself for another head coaching opportunity in the future.

What’s Next for Saleh and the Broncos?

As Saleh begins his tenure with the Broncos, the focus will be on how he integrates into Payton’s staff and what changes he implements on defense. If he can turn Denver’s defense into a top-tier unit, he could quickly regain credibility as a head coaching candidate for future openings.

Meanwhile, the Jets are moving forward with a new coaching staff, but Saleh’s parting message ensures that his departure will not be forgotten anytime soon. Whether his words were meant as a simple farewell or a critique of the organization remains a mystery, but one thing is clear: Robert Saleh’s time in New York ended with a bang, and his journey in Denver is just beginning.

 

 

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BREAKING NEWS: Robert Saleh’s Shocking Move: From Jets to 49ers, Now Broncos’ Head Coach – Reactions from Woody Johnson & Jed York Shake Up NFL Fans…

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March 12, 2025

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BREAKING NEWS: Robert Saleh’s Shocking Move: From Jets to 49ers, Now Broncos’ Head Coach – Reactions from Woody Johnson & Jed York Shake Up NFL Fans…

In a stunning turn of events, former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh has been named the new head coach of the Denver Broncos. This move comes after a whirlwind coaching journey that saw Saleh return to the San Francisco 49ers as a defensive coordinator before quickly making the leap to a head coaching role once again. The decision has sent shockwaves through the NFL, with both Jets owner Woody Johnson and 49ers owner Jed York reacting to the unexpected news.

A Tumultuous Coaching Journey
Saleh’s tenure with the Jets came to an abrupt end in October 2024 after a rocky 2-3 start to the season. Despite his defensive prowess, the team struggled to find consistency, prompting Johnson to part ways with him in hopes of bringing in new leadership. Following his dismissal, Saleh was quickly scooped up by the 49ers in January 2025 to serve as their defensive coordinator, returning to a franchise where he had previously built a reputation as one of the league’s top defensive minds.

However, his stint with San Francisco proved to be short-lived. The Denver Broncos, who had been searching for a strong leader to turn around their struggling franchise, made an aggressive move to secure Saleh as their new head coach. This quick transition from defensive coordinator to head coach caught many by surprise, including 49ers owner Jed York, who had high hopes for Saleh’s impact on their defense.

Reactions from Woody Johnson and Jed York
Jets owner Woody Johnson, who had previously defended his decision to move on from Saleh, was reportedly shocked by how quickly his former coach landed another head coaching job. In a statement, Johnson acknowledged Saleh’s talents but maintained that the Jets needed a change. “Robert is a great coach and a great leader, but at the time, we believed a new direction was necessary for the team. I wish him all the best in Denver,” Johnson said.

Meanwhile, 49ers owner Jed York expressed disappointment at Saleh’s sudden departure. “We were excited to have Robert back as part of our coaching staff. His defensive expertise is well known, and we believed he could help us make another deep playoff run. While we respect his decision, it’s unfortunate to lose such a valuable coach so quickly,” York stated.

Fan Reactions and the Future of the Broncos
NFL fans have taken to social media to express their opinions on the surprising coaching change. Many Jets fans are left wondering if the team made a mistake in letting Saleh go, while 49ers fans are frustrated that he didn’t stay long enough to make a significant impact. Meanwhile, Broncos fans are cautiously optimistic about the hire, hoping that Saleh can bring his defensive mastery to a team that has struggled in recent seasons.

For Denver, the move signals a commitment to rebuilding their team with a defensive-minded approach. Saleh’s ability to develop players and create dominant defensive units was evident during his time with the 49ers, and the Broncos are banking on him to replicate that success in the Mile High City.

What’s Next for the Jets and 49ers?
With Saleh now in Denver, both the Jets and the 49ers are left adjusting to life without him. The Jets continue their search for a long-term coaching solution, while the 49ers must now find a replacement for their defensive coordinator position. The impact of Saleh’s departure will be closely monitored as the NFL offseason progresses.

One thing is certain—Robert Saleh’s unexpected move to the Broncos has shaken up the league and added another layer of intrigue to the upcoming NFL season. Whether he can turn Denver into a contender remains to be seen, but his journey has already made waves across the football world.

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Breaking: Aaron Rodgers has finalized a two-year deal to join Steelers in 2025 NFL free agency

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March 12, 2025

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Breaking: Aaron Rodgers has finalized a two-year deal to join Steelers in 2025 NFL free agency

Antonio Brown has not been a player for the Pittsburgh Steelers in seven years. The ex-star wide receiver continues to circulate Steelers rumors, and now he’s asserting that he has insider knowledge about the team’s upcoming quarterback, hinting on Tuesday that Aaron Rodgers has already reached a two-year deal with Pittsburgh.

“Agreement is complete,” Brown shared on X, while promoting his social media platform as “the most reliable source in the entire sports world.”

This isn’t the initial occasion Brown has disclosed purported insider information about NFL news. Twelve months prior, the forthright ex-pass catcher posted screenshots of a supposed exchange with ESPN insider Adam Schefter, where Brown asked ESPN to acknowledge him for revealing the news of Russell Wilson joining the Steelers. Wilson ultimately secured a one-year contract with Pittsburgh last offseason.

Rodgers, who has been with the New York Jets for the past two seasons, is said to have been discussing with the Steelers since prior to the beginning of this week’s free agent negotiation period. The Jets had already declared their plan to let go of the former NFL MVP, and after Wilson and Justin Fields entered the negotiating period without new contracts from the Steelers, Rodgers appeared to be a primary target for Mike Tomlin’s team, with local reports suggesting that the two sides were nearing an agreement on Monday.

Brown, in the meantime, dedicated most of his successful yet controversial NFL career to Pittsburgh, twice topping the league in receptions as a seven-time Pro Bowler.

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Garrett Wilson Breaks Silence on Jets Signing QB Justin Fields

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March 11, 2025

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Garrett Wilson Breaks Silence on Jets Signing QB Justin Fields

Former Ohio State Football teammates Justin Fields and Garrett Wilson reacting in the middle of a college football game.

The New York Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year deal for $40 million in free agency.

Garrett Wilson, Fields’ former Ohio State teammate, gave this addition the stamp of approval.

“He [Fields] has a connection with Garrett Wilson. I think Wilson is very happy from what I understand [after talking] to some people,” Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic revealed on the “Flight Plan” podcast. “I think a lot of guys on this team wanted Justin Fields as their quarterback who are still on the team. [Fields] has the chemistry with Garrett, Garrett is happy that he is coming, [and] you don’t have to deal with the personality clash there.”

The Fields-Wilson Relationship Is an Important Factor

Things got bad between Wilson and Aaron Rodgers during the 2024 season. So bad in fact that Wilson would have considered requesting a trade if Rodgers returned in 2025, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport.

“All is not well with Rodgers and Wilson,” Rapoport revealed on December 29. “Privately, there have been questions regarding whether Rodgers and Wilson can find common ground since they had a blowup during training camp … Wilson has not requested a trade, but if Rodgers is back, that is one of the options for how to proceed.”

There aren’t any questions about the relationship between Fields and Wilson.

The pair were teammates at Ohio State for two seasons in 2019 and 2020. OSU finished with a 20-2 record and the talented Buckeyes put up monster numbers.

Wilson during those two years caught 113 receptions for 1,781 receiving yards and scored 18 touchdowns.

Fields added 867 rushing yards and 15 rushing scores on the ground during those two seasons. Through the air, Fields added 5,373 passing yards, had a 63 touchdown to 9 interception ratio, and completed 68.7% of his passes during that same stretch.

Fields Is the Right Risk vs. Reward Proposition

The Jets acquired the most realistic best possible quarterback option that was available this offseason.

Fields, 26, is an unfinished product with untapped potential. He showed significant signs of improvement this past season on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fields led the Steelers to a 4-2 record and set new career highs in completion percentage (65.8%) and quarterback rating (93.3).

“Here’s the reality & people don’t like to live in this, Justin Fields’ last two seasons he’s thrown for 21 touchdowns & 10 picks,” ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky said on the SportsCenter special “Free Agency Frenzy.”

In New York, Fields has a chance to prove he is the guy. The Jets signed him to a two-year deal for $40 million with $30 million of that guaranteed.

Based on his contract structure, Fields should be on the Jets roster for both of those years no matter what.

ESPN’s Rich Cimini explained that the former Ohio State product has a $20 million base salary next season with $10 million of that guaranteed.

Fields’ $20 million annual salary ranks No. 17 among the highest paid quarterbacks in the NFL, per Over The Cap.

If he has a standout year in 2025, Fields and the Jets can come back to the negotiating table to work out a long-term deal. If he stinks, Fields can be the bridge quarterback for the team in 2026 as they seek out what comes next at QB.

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