The Jets' stubborn loyalty to Justin Fields despite his historically poor performance has sparked debate. After a 13-11 loss to the Broncos in London, head coach Aaron Glenn stood by his decision to keep Fields as the starting quarterback, despite the team's statistically worst passing game in franchise history.
Fields' performance was abysmal, completing only 9 of 17 passes for 45 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He was also sacked nine times, resulting in negative-10 net passing yards, the lowest in NFL history in 27 years. This poor showing comes on the heels of Fields signing a two-year, $40 million contract with $30 million guaranteed.
Glenn's defense of Fields was met with skepticism, especially after he admitted the passing game was 'nonexistent'. The team's overall offensive struggles were evident, with only 82 total yards of offense. Fields himself acknowledged the issues, stating, 'It wasn't good enough... I gotta get the ball out... They have a good d-line, they got to the backfield fast.'
This isn't the first time Fields has struggled. In Week 3, with Fields out due to a concussion, backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor led the team to a 29-27 road loss to the Buccaneers. Taylor, however, performed better, completing 26 of 29 passes for 197 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
The Jets also have rookie Brady Cook on the practice squad, who signed as an undrafted free agent. Despite the options available, Glenn remains steadfast in his decision, stating, 'Offensively, they gave it to us... Our passing game was nonexistent. That's something we gotta get better at.'
The question remains: is Glenn's loyalty to Fields justified, or is it time for a change? The team's performance and the potential for improvement suggest that a reevaluation might be necessary. The debate continues as the Jets strive to turn their fortunes around.
