The Jets quarterbacks have been making slow decisions all year. Now, coach Aaron Glenn is making sure he does not rush into deciding who his starter will be Sunday against the Bengals.
Glenn declined to name a starter Monday, one day after benching Justin Fields at halftime of a 13-6 loss to the Panthers and replacing him with backup Tyrod Taylor.
“There’s a lot of thought that goes into that for me personally,” Glenn said, “and then being able to get with the staff, and then just being able to ask other coaches that have been in the situation, how would they handle that. So, I’m not running away from the question at all. The thing is I want to make sure I make the right decision, and I don’t want to make rash decisions either. So, I just want to make sure when the decision is made, it’ll be the right one, and you guys will know that real soon.”
After Sunday, it’s hard to view either choice as a good one. The Jets fell to 0-7 thanks to an anemic offense.
Fields completed 6-of-12 passes for 46 yards in the first half with a longest pass of 12 yards. Taylor began the second half, and the offense moved better, but he threw two interceptions. He was 10-of-22 for 126 yards with a long of 35 yards.
Aaron Glenn of the New York Jets reacts as he walks off the field at the end of the 4th quarter at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. for the NY POST
Justin Fields #7 of the New York Jets runs the ball as Trevin Wallace #32 of the Carolina Panthers dives to tackle him during the 2nd quarter at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in East Rutherford, NJ. for the NY POST
“I thought the offense moved the ball better, but that has a number of things that you have to look at,” Glenn said of Taylor. “No. 1, we were more in a hurry-up situation, which I think he’s done a really good job of. But man, the two picks is something that’s tough, you know, and you can’t have that.”
Before Sunday, Glenn had been a fierce defender of Fields, his handpicked quarterback. Glenn scoffed at the idea of benching him after the team’s loss to the Broncos in London. He said Fields had played well in every game except that loss to the Broncos.
But he changed his mind Sunday.
The Jets offense has been allergic to the end zone. The Jets have scored only one touchdown before the fourth quarter in their past six games, and that was a broken play where Fields ended up running 43 yards for a touchdown in Miami.
They have not scored a touchdown in the first half since Week 1 against Pittsburgh.
Jets quarterback Justin Fields (7) watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J. AP
Tyrod Taylor #2 of the New York Jets throws a pass during the 3rd quarter at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025. for the NY POST
It has been shocking, considering the Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, with $30 million guaranteed, in March.
The Jets seemed confident they could play to his strengths and bring out the best in him better than his coaches in Chicago or Pittsburgh. Glenn was asked what has gone wrong.
“That’s a good question, and I think there’s blame to go around on a number of things when you look at that question,” Glenn said. “And we have to continue to figure out: How do we put him in the best position to be successful? We also have to look at — Justin has to execute. So, there’s a number of things that go into that, and listen, we’re not going to point the finger and blame just one person at all. We’re not just going to say it’s Justin’s fault. We’re not just going to say it’s the coaching. I mean, that’s a situation where we all have to come together and do the best we can as far as trying to put guys in position and guys executing.”
The expectation is that Glenn will turn to Taylor since Fields has been so ineffective. Taylor had one start against the Buccaneers when Fields was in the concussion protocol. He did not play particularly well that day, but the Jets nearly rallied to win in the fourth quarter.
If Glenn does make the move to Taylor, he likely will get several weeks as the starter to prove himself.
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Glenn said the primary factor in the decision is beating the Bengals on Sunday and getting the team’s first win.
“I think it’s always based on who gives you the best chance to win,” Glenn said. “And again, that’s what I think about. This is a week-to-week league, and you have to make sure you get yourself prepared to win every week because every team gives you different challenges. My mindset right now is, ‘Who gives us the best chance to win?’ to be honest with you.”