Upside dual-threat identified as Giants' 'Bridge' QB option in 2025

Based on his contract, a lot would have to go right for Daniel Jones and the New York Giants in 2024 for the former first-round selection to be the starting quarterback a year from now.

It's no secret that Big Blue can save $30.5 million by designating Jones as a player released after June 1 next season. There's also his injury guarantee – a factor that some believe could result in Jones being benched before the end of the campaign.

Needless to say, this creates a make-or-break scenario for the Giants' current QB1, and NYG Beat members are already discussing his potential replacement in June 2024. The Athletic's Dan Duggan analyzed all the quarterback options available for 2025 on June 27, and one of the most appealing possibilities was former Chicago Bears starter Justin Fields, who currently serves as Russell Wilson's backup in Pittsburgh.

“Fields is a wild card,” Duggan wrote. “Traded by the Bears to Pittsburgh in March to serve as Wilson's backup, Fields was the 11th pick in the 2021 draft. He showed some promise in three seasons with the Bears, but not enough to keep them from taking Caleb Williams from the USC with the first pick in this year's draft. »

“Profiles similar to Jones as a dual-threat quarterback with limitations as a passer,” the reporter continued. “Fields would be a prove-it/bridge option if the Giants move on from Jones.”

Finally, Duggan added that “Fields has more upside than other bridge options like Sam Darnold and Mac Jones.”

Justin Fields would reportedly be a good fit for the Giants' current offense

It was a little curious that the Giants didn't try to trade for Fields this spring – especially once it was clear his trade value had declined.

Big Blue could have convinced Fields to team up with Jones for one season, but instead opted to bring in free agent Drew Lock. Perhaps that’s because general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll knew they could simply wait and sign the dynamic signal-caller in 2025, rather than sacrifice draft capital and cap space this offseason.

As Duggan mentioned, Fields and Jones play a similar style quarterback. Both are playmakers with their legs and a bit inconsistent with their arm.

Daboll also has a history with dual-threat QBs, having coached Josh Allen in Buffalo. At a minimum, Fields would seem like a good fit for this system, even if he might be too similar to Jones for some of the fan base.

Like Jones, Fields never threw for 25 touchdowns or 3,500 yards in a single season. In fact, the Ohio State product's best passing season produced just 2,562 yards through the air, along with 16 passing touchdowns.

Of course, Fields has rushed for over 1,100 yards in 2022. He has 25 total touchdowns this season.

Jones topped 3,000 passing yards twice in his career, but his best rushing total was just 708 yards and seven touchdowns – which happened with Daboll last year. It's possible that Fields could act as a similar upgrade over Jones, and at a fraction of the cost.

How much will Justin Fields be paid in 2025?

It's hard to gauge Fields' 2025 market right now. There's no doubt someone will take a flier on the high-ceiling 25-year-old next spring, but how much would teams be willing to bet, say Fields rides the bench all season?

That part is unclear. Although it's almost certain that Fields would command far less than a high-end market player like Dak Prescott — barring a breakout campaign with the Steelers.

He would also likely make less than Jones' current $40 million per year if he sits out the entire season. A good comparison to Fields might be the aforementioned Darnold, who signed in Minnesota as a bridge candidate this spring after spending a redshirt year in San Francisco.

The Vikings paid Darnold $10 million ($8.75 million guaranteed) for a one-year deal. It's unclear if he'll end up being a veteran backup or their starter.

The Giants could offer Fields a similar contract, even if they plan to sign a rookie like Minnesota did in April. At the very least, the former first-round pick would likely bring plenty of excitement with him to New York.