Aaron Glenn won’t be playing this week.
The Jets’ coach announced on Monday that there would be a change at quarterback. Justin Fields, who has struggled, is being benched in favor of veteran Tyrod Taylor for the upcoming game against the Ravens. Glenn, unlike last week when he was tight-lipped about the quarterback situation, opened up about this decision.
“Offensively, we definitely need to improve our passing game, but it’s not all on [Fields],” Glenn stated. “It was me, the routes I ran, and the passes that were dropped, which includes him. Right now, we need to become more aggressive in the passing game, and this change feels necessary. I still believe in Justin; that hasn’t changed, but it’s time for a shift.”
This offseason, the Jets signed Fields to a two-year contract worth $40 million, with $30 million guaranteed. Initially, there were plans to name him the starter and give him a full chance, implying that previous coaching staffs at the Bears and Steelers hadn’t done that properly.
However, Fields has performed poorly, contributing to the Jets’ disappointing 2-8 record this season. Their average of 139.9 passing yards per game stands as the worst in the league. In his last five outings, Fields has only managed to break the 200-yard mark once. In last week’s contest against the Patriots, he recorded merely 116 passing yards and missed several easy completions.
Fields did not address the media on Wednesday following the demotion.
Glenn mentioned having a private talk with Fields on Monday to relay the decision.
“He gets why I made this call,” Glenn explained. “Of course, he’s not thrilled about it, and I wouldn’t expect him to be. But he understands that as the head coach, I need to make choices that benefit the team, and I felt this was the right one.”
Glenn has been a staunch supporter of Fields since he arrived. He even rebuked reporters for ‘following’ Fields during training camp and reacted strongly when questions arose about possibly benching him after a rough showing against the Broncos.
Although Fields was benched at halftime against the Panthers, he came back to start against the Bengals because Taylor was nursing a knee injury. Fields had a standout game against the Bengals, helping the team win two in a row before their loss to the Patriots last Thursday, which made it apparent that a change was needed.
“These choices are not easy,” Glenn acknowledged. “But as a head coach, my priority is to do what’s best for the team, and I felt this was it.”
For Tyrod Taylor, 36, this represents a fresh chance. Earlier this season, he started one game in Tampa when Fields was sidelined due to a concussion.
“I’m eager for the opportunity to play,” Taylor remarked. “It’s definitely tough, too. You grow close to people in this profession, and there’s an emotional aspect. Yet, I really believe God has a plan for everyone. Perhaps this is my moment, and I’m ready for the chance.”
Taylor was drafted by the Ravens in 2011 and spent four years there. Now, he’s looking forward to a return to Baltimore.
“It feels like a full-circle moment,” Taylor noted. “I’m thankful for my time in Baltimore. I picked up so much from the coaches and players, learning not just about football but also about how to handle things off the field. We still have friends in that building, and it’s been a while since I played there. They have a solid team, and I’m looking forward to the challenge this weekend.”
