Who Should I Start? Justin Fields or Michael Penix Jr.

Tuesday, January 6, 1:40 PM

When asked if quarterback Justin Fields would be back with the team in 2026, New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said, "He's under contract," according to Antwan V. Staley of the New York Daily News. The Jets brought Fields in as a free agent last offseason to be their starter under center, but the plan backfired. Fields, a former first-rounder, went 2-7 as a starter and was eventually benched for veteran backup Tyrod Taylor late in the season. The 26-year-old ended the season on Injured Reserve with a knee injury. Fields limited turnovers, but he completed 62.7% of his pass attempts for 1,259 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. He also didn't run very much, carrying the ball 71 times for 383 yards and four TDs. At best, Fields will likely be competing for a starting role if he stays with the Jets in the second year of his two-year, $40 million deal.

Wednesday, November 26, 1:06 PM

Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Wednesday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) had successful surgery on his knee on Tuesday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Penix had full reconstructive surgery to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee, which will keep him out for the rest of this season and possibly for the start of the 2026 season next fall. The 25-year-old second-year signal-caller is facing a nine-month recovery, which will force Atlanta to rethink its long-term plan at the QB position this offseason. This is Penix's third ACL reconstruction in his career after he had two knee surgeries in college. Kirk Cousins will start the rest of the year under center for the Falcons, but depending on how he finishes the season, the Falcons could opt out of the final two seasons of his four-year deal.