Justin Fields put an end to any debate over whether the Jets should continue with Sam Darnold under center.
Injured midsection and all, Fields had the game of his life Friday night, throwing for 385 yards and six touchdowns in Ohio State’s 49-28 College Football Playoff semifinal win over Clemson. His performance was nothing short of spectacular, with throw after throw being placed perfectly to his wide receivers and tight ends after absorbing a jarring shot to the ribs that left him in pain for nearly the entire game.
“I took a big shot…but what really kept me going was my brothers and my love for them,” Fields said, per Eleven Warriors’ Dan Hope. “I’d do anything for these guys. I just love them.”
Fields’ play did much more than lead Ohio State to a date with Alabama in the National Championship Game. After weeks of analysts wondering aloud if he has what it takes both physically and mentally to be a productive quarterback at the next level, Fields answered all of those questions in a resounding fashion.
He likely also made Joe Douglas’ offseason preparation a whole lot easier.
Good morning Jets fans here are all six TD passes from Justin Fields' legendary performance against Clemson. pic.twitter.com/8O6Kw7NuJz
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 2, 2021
With Trevor Lawrence all but a lock to go off the board at No. 1 to the Jaguars, Douglas has a decision to make. Should he roll the dice with Darnold for another year and continue to build around him? Or should he move on from Darnold after three seasons of inconsistent play and take a shot on his own rookie quarterback?
Prior to the Sugar Bowl, the consensus was that if the Jets were going to go in a new direction under center, Zach Wilson would be the pick. Now, Douglas has two quality options to choose from with Fields asserting that he can be the guy for an NFL team.
To be clear, one game is not going to completely determine Douglas’ line of thinking on who he should take at No. 2. There is still plenty of Fields and Wilson game film that needs to be evaluated. Both players come with major upside, but flaws that need to be fixed, as is the case with most quarterbacks entering the NFL. Wilson could very well still have the upper hand over Fields after his dominant 2020 season at BYU.
But Douglas now has enough intel to decide what he will do with the pick. Any thought of sticking with Darnold in 2021 should be tossed out the window after Fields’ performance on Friday. Why take a chance on Darnold turning it around when Douglas could reset the clock with a new quarterback on a fresh rookie deal — especially when he has two quality options to choose from?
There is no doubt that Lawrence is the crown jewel of this year’s draft, but New York is now in a position to land an excellent consolation prize. Whether the pick is Fields or Wilson, the Jets are going to be just fine at No. 2.