New York Jets Have Benched Justin Fields, Tyrod To Start Week 12
The Justin Fields experiment in New York has crash-landed. The New York Jets have finally pulled the plug, benching the struggling quarterback in favor of the perpetually steady, if unspectacular, Tyrod Taylor. This should not come as a surprise to anyone.
Aaron Glenn’s Statement
Head Coach Aaron Glenn, who probably has more headaches than wins this season, made the announcement to the team on Monday, confirming what everyone with a pair of eyes already knew was coming. The move was about as surprising as a sunrise. Glenn had been dropping hints for weeks, telling reporters he was “evaluating everything.”
The final nail in the coffin was a truly dreadful performance against the New England Patriots, where Fields managed to throw for a measly 116 yards. The Jets’ passing offense currently sits dead last in the league. Thirty-second. You can’t get any worse. Then again, this coach claims the practices have been damn good when they are 2-8 record-wise.
Why Did the Jets Bench Fields?
To put it bluntly, he’s been terrible. The Jets rolled the dice on Fields, signing him to a two-year, $40 million contract with the hope that they could unlock the “untapped potential” that the Bears and Steelers couldn’t find. It turns out that potential might be tapped out.
This season, Fields ranks 30th out of 33 qualified passers in QBR. He’s thrown for just seven touchdowns against one interception, which sounds great until you realize he has barely thrown for over 1,200 yards. His most effective plays have been with his legs, where he’s the team’s second-leading rusher. When your quarterback is more of a running back, you’ve got a problem.
The writing has been on the wall for a while. Glenn nearly benched him after a Week 7 disaster against the Panthers. The only thing that saved Fields was a convenient knee injury for Taylor, forcing the coach’s hand. In a bizarre twist, Fields then had his best game of the season, leading the Jets to a shocking win just days after Owner Woody Johnson practically disowned him in the media. Again, sell the team, Woody. But it was a flicker, not a flame. A 51-yard passing performance followed, and then the final, pathetic showing against the Patriots sealed his fate.
What’s Next For the Jets’ Quarterback Situation?
Chaos, mostly. That’s the Jets’ way. With a 2-8 record, they’re in a prime position to snag a top pick in the 2026 draft. And thanks to some savvy trades involving Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner and Quinnen Williams, they’re armed with enough draft capital to move up and grab whichever shiny new quarterback prospect they fall in love with next. It should be Taylor for the rest of the year, and when he gets hurt, go to the undrafted rookie Brady Cook to take over as the starter.
Why Fields Is Pretty Much Done As An NFL Starter
As for Fields, his future is murkier than a swamp. He’s due $20 million in 2026, a hefty price for a clipboard holder. The Jets will almost certainly look to move on, whether through a trade or by simply cutting him loose.
His time as a starting quarterback in the NFL is pretty much over. It may be over because he looks scared to throw the football. He is an NFL backup, not a full-time starter. He failed in Chicago, Pittsburgh, and now New York.
The Jets’ grand gamble on Justin Fields has failed. They swung for the fences and struck out, leaving them right back where they always seem to be. Searching for a savior at quarterback.
