The Jets’ quarterback situation has been a slow-motion dilemma this season. Coach Aaron Glenn is now treading carefully as he weighs the starter for Sunday’s matchup against the Bengals.
On Monday, Glenn refrained from naming a starter, following his decision to bench Justin Fields in favor of backup Tyrod Taylor during a 13-6 defeat to the Panthers.
“I’ve really been pondering that,” Glenn mentioned. “I’ve been consulting with the staff and other coaches who faced similar choices. I’m not dodging the question, but I need to ensure it’s the right call. No rash decisions here; once I decide, I want to be confident it’s the correct one.”
After the recent game, it’s hard to see either quarterback as a solid choice. The Jets stumbled to 0-7 with an offense that just couldn’t get anything going.
In the first half, Fields completed 6 out of 12 passes for just 46 yards, with his longest gain being 12 yards. Taylor, who took over in the second half, did spark some movement but also tossed two interceptions, going 10 for 22 with 126 yards and a long of 35.
Glenn had previously backed Fields vigorously, dismissing talk of a benching after a loss in London. He pointed out that Fields performed decently in most games, except for that one against the Broncos. But Sunday’s performance prompted a shift in his outlook.
The offense seems to be struggling significantly. In the last six games, the Jets managed only one touchdown, which was somewhat accidental—a 43-yard scramble from Fields in Miami.
This was surprising, given that Fields was signed earlier this year to a hefty two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million guaranteed. The Jets appeared to have more faith in his abilities than his coaches in Chicago and Pittsburgh did.
When asked about the underlying issues, Glenn noted, “That’s a fair question. We need to consider how best to set him up for success. It’s not just about one person failing; we all need to pull together.”
With Fields struggling, Glenn might lean on Taylor. Though Taylor didn’t excel in his start against the Buccaneers while Fields was sidelined, he nearly orchestrated a comeback.
If he makes the switch, Taylor would have a few games to prove himself.
Ultimately, Glenn emphasized that the priority is to secure a win against the Bengals this Sunday.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about which player gives us the best chance to win,” he remarked. “My thoughts are centered on readiness for each weekly challenge.”
