Justin Fields Surprised by Bench in Jets, Seeks Revenge in the NFL

Justin Fields: Surprised by the benching, but looking towards the future

New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields expressed his surprise at the decision to bench him last week. In his first statements after being benched, Fields assured that he did not expect this situation. Fields, who is under contract until 2026, expressed his desire to return to being a starter in the NFL. However, he did not clarify whether his intention is to remain with the Jets in the long term. Coach Aaron Glenn made the decision to replace Fields with Tyrod Taylor, who will be the starter next Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium. The main reason was the need to improve the aerial attack’s performance, currently ranked 32nd in the league in terms of yards.

“You can call it whatever you want, but AG thought it was justified, and he makes the decisions here.”

Justin Fields

Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract in March, hoping to prove he could be the team’s long-term starter. However, this is the second consecutive season in which he is relegated to the bench. Reflecting on the situation, Fields commented: “The first day is hard. It took me a day and a half to fully accept my role. Then, last Friday, I felt a moment of ‘damn’ where I said, ‘Yes, this is real’. “You have to see life from a positive perspective. I feel blessed to be in this position and I know I will have another opportunity. That’s what matters at the end of the day. So, when I have it, I just have to be prepared for that moment, be the best player I have been on the field.” Fields, selected in the first round of the 2021 draft by the Chicago Bears, has a record of 16-37 as a starter, including 2-7 with the Jets. He ranks 29th out of 33 qualified passers in Total QBR, but still sees himself as a starter.

“Of course. Yes, sir. I know who I am as a person, as an American football player, as a worker. I know I have the mentality and the ability to achieve it. I feel like I need to do it more consistently, but that’s life.”

Justin Fields

Fields has a salary of 20 million dollars for next season, including 10 million guaranteed, but his future is uncertain. The Jets could restructure their quarterback roster, possibly with a high draft pick and/or the acquisition of a veteran. When asked if he would be willing to return as a substitute, Fields avoided the question, saying he is only concerned about the present. He then added: “I’m not going to have that mentality of, ‘Oh, I was sent to the bench. I’m not going to play here.’ I think that’s a bad mentality.”