Last week, after the Jets’ 13-11 loss to the Broncos, Jets coach Aaron Glenn was asked about whether quarterback Justin Fields, who completed 9-of-17 passes for only 45 yards and was sacked nine times, would continue to be the team’s starting quarterback.
Here’s how Glenn responded:
“C’mon, man, what kind of question is that?” Glenn responded… “There’s a number of guys. I mean, sometimes this league is like there’s guys that have bad games. That doesn’t mean you just bench them. C’mon, you know better than that.”
On Sunday, against the Carolina Panthers, Fields had an opportunity to redeem himself. However, he struggled again. In the first half, Fields completed 6-of-12 passes for 46 yards and led New York to only three points. Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor would replace him to start the second half, but things didn’t get any better as the Jets lost to the Panthers 13-6 to fall to 0-7.
After the loss, Glenn was asked why he went to Taylor.
“I understand the nature of the quarterback change,” Glenn said. “We needed a spark at that time. I felt it was the right time to do it. Obviously, it’s a tough situation for both of those guys, but it was my call. It was my call, and I thought it was the right time to do it. When it goes to next week, I’m not ready to sit here and say what’s going to happen next week with our quarterback, but I’ll say this, that’s something that I have to look at.”
Fields did acknowledge that he was a little surprised by the change, but he’s not angry.
“A little bit, but at the same time, I can’t be mad at the decision,” he said. “I understand why. It’s life, it’s football. I’ve learned to not take anything personally. Coach AG (Aaron Glenn), I think he wanted to see if there was a spark. But like I told you guys earlier in the week, I’m about to just be real right now. I’ve always asked God to give me an opportunity and a platform to spread his word, and sometimes it doesn’t play out the way you always plan it. I think the position I’m in right now is a great opportunity to spread that message and really kind of get the world to know how I feel about him, and how great he is. I’ve been through a lot in my career, especially in my NFL career, my college career. God’s been with me through the ups and downs, and I’m probably at a low right now, and I think the old me would feel some certain type of way, but it’s just now like my faith is so rooted in Christ to where it’s like, like I told you guys earlier this week, nothing can break me.
Taylor, who wasn’t much better than Fields as he completed 10-of-22 passes for 126 yards and two interceptions, says he would like to start next week against the Bengals, but he’s okay with whatever Glenn decides.
“As a competitor, you always want to start, but that’s not my decision, and nor will I feel any way emotionally about whatever coach chooses to decide,” Taylor said. “I’ll be ready for the opportunity, but I’m also here to support Justin (Fields) as well, too. I got a lot of respect for him and every guy in this locker room, so I’m here to do what I need to do when my number is called.”
Whatever decision is made, Glenn said he’ll be the one making it.
“Ultimately, I’ll make the call,” Glenn said. “But there’s a lot of conversation I’ve got to have with myself to see what can I do to make sure that we give us a chance to win. And then, obviously, I will talk to the offensive staff and see what their thoughts are, also. But, we’ll make the right decision. Whatever the decision is, I’m going to go with it and we’re going to move forward.”
At this point, the Jets’ season is over. Taylor probably gives them the best chance to win, and while Glenn is in his first year, it feels like he could lose his job if this doesn’t turn around, and again, Taylor probably gives them the best chance to do just that.
Leave a Reply