In a move that shakes up the team’s offense, New York Jets coach Aaron Glenn has decided to bench starting quarterback Justin Fields, opting for veteran Tyrod Taylor. Taylor, with a long history as a substitute, will take the reins of the team next Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, the team that drafted him in 2011. The decision was communicated to the team during Monday’s meeting, following their mini-break. This change comes at a crucial moment for the Jets, who are looking to improve their performance this season.
The change is not a surprise, as Glenn had indicated the possibility of evaluating the situation. Fields’ numbers in recent weeks have been a cause for concern, especially after the defeat against the New England Patriots, where he only managed 116 passing yards. The Jets’ passing attack ranks 32nd in yards per game (139.9), and Fields has accumulated only 505 yards in his last five starts. Although Fields has a contract until 2026, after signing a two-year, $40 million deal in March, his future with the Jets is uncertain. The team could look for a new starter in 2026, either a veteran or a rookie. In 2026, Fields has a salary of 20 million dollars, with 10 million guaranteed, and his impact on the salary cap is 23 million. With a 2-8 record, the Jets currently hold the fifth position in the 2026 draft. They possess two first-round picks in 2026 and three more in 2027, thanks to recent strategic moves. This could provide them with the necessary capital to move up in the draft and select a quarterback. The Jets signed Fields, offering him a guarantee of 30 million dollars, hoping he would develop his potential and become a solid starter, despite his history with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers.“It’s tough to be part of the demotion,” commented tight end Jeremy Ruckert, who shared a team with Fields at Ohio State. “I take it personally, all the hate, everything that’s said about him. I take it personally. I’m one of those who jump on the field with him, and I wish we could have done a better job to help him, but he’s a true professional.”
Jeremy Ruckert
However, this has not happened.
Fields ranks 30th out of 33 qualified quarterbacks in Total QBR (37.7), with only 7 touchdown passes, 1,259 passing yards, and 1 interception. He is the Jets’ second-leading rusher, with 383 yards and four rushing touchdowns, the most on the team. The decision to switch quarterbacks almost happened a few weeks ago. Fields was replaced at halftime in the Week 7 loss against the Carolina Panthers, and Glenn was considering Taylor as the new starter, according to sources. But Taylor was ruled out on the eve of the Week 8 game against the Cincinnati Bengals due to a persistent knee injury, forcing Glenn to stick with Fields. Fields played his best game of the season, a few days after being publicly criticized by owner Woody Johnson. The team rallied around Fields, and the result was the team’s best offensive performance in years: 502 total yards. He continued with a 51-yard passing performance against the Cleveland Browns, but got a break because the Jets won. Then came the disaster against the Patriots. “Obviously, we have to do a better job in the passing game, and that has a lot to do with Justin giving the ball to the right players,” Glenn said on Friday. Once again, the Jets are facing a confusing situation at the quarterback position. Aside from last season, when Aaron Rodgers started in every game, they have been plagued by instability at the position. From 2021 to 2023, they started with three different quarterbacks in each season, including four in 2023, the year Rodgers suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 1. Taylor has started in one game this season, a Week 3 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when Fields was out with a concussion. Taylor threw two touchdowns and an interception, almost leading the Jets to a comeback victory. His record as a starter is 28-29-1.
