Justin Fields‘ time because the Jets beginning quarterback seems to be over.
Taylor can be beginning in opposition to the Ravens, who chosen him within the sixth spherical of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Fields’ benching isn’t a shock to anybody after Jets coach Aaron Glenn stated on Friday that he was “evaluating everything” following the workforce’s 27-13 loss to the Patriots on Thursday. Fields completed 15-of-26 with 116 yards with a landing and a misplaced fumble in opposition to New England. He registered solely 23 passing yards within the first half in opposition to the Patriots.
Throughout his previous 5 begins, Fields has 505 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. The Jets are useless final in passing yards per sport this season (139.9) and are on tempo to be the bottom passing common for the reason that 2022 Bears, for whom Fields was additionally the beginning quarterback.
The Jets signed Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract in March, hoping he could possibly be the following quarterback to revitalize his profession after failed stops with the Bears and Steelers. Nonetheless, the Jets will seemingly be looking for a brand new quarterback in 2026, both by way of the draft, commerce, or free company.
Fields, 26, is scheduled to make $20 million in 2026, together with $10 million assured. The Jets might launch Fields with a June 1 designation and save $10 million and have a useless cash cap hit of $13 million.
“Not really sure the exact things, just I know how much he cares about us, how much he puts on the line every day,” Jets tight finish Jeremy Ruckert stated about Fields amid the Jets’ offensive struggles. “I take it private, all of the hate, all of the speaking that goes in direction of him.
“I take it personal because I’m one of the guys that takes the field with him. Wish we could do a better job to help him out, but he’s just a true professional. Not going to change how I feel about him. I’m sure he’ll be ready to go when his times come.”
Sunday will mark Taylor’s second begin of the season. After Fields suffered a concussion in Week 2 in opposition to the Payments, Taylor began the following week, a 29-27 loss in opposition to the Buccaneers and threw for 197 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.
At 2-8, the Jets are nearly certain to overlook the playoffs for the fifteenth consecutive yr. After buying and selling each Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams earlier this month, the workforce gained three extra first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 and a second-round decide in 2026.
However Glenn is making an attempt to win video games to complete this season with constructive momentum, which is why the transfer to Taylor wanted to occur. Fields has been hesitant to throw the ball downfield and has as a substitute thrown checkdown passes to his receivers. That’s why Fields was benched at halftime through the loss in opposition to the Panthers in Week 7.
Taylor, 36, is a way more polished passer who’s keen to stretch defenses and provides his receivers an opportunity for explosive performs downfield. That’s why Glenn was rumored to be leaning in direction of beginning Taylor in Week 8 in opposition to the Bengals. However Taylor injured his knee in opposition to Carolina and missed the sport in opposition to Cincinnati, and Fields continued to be the workforce’s beginning quarterback.
Fields had his greatest sport in a Jets uniform in opposition to the Bengals. He completed 21-of-32 with 244 yards and a landing, which helped the Jets get their first victory of the season. This got here days after Jets proprietor Woody Johnson criticized Fields for the workforce’s then 0-7 begin to the season.
After their bye, Fields adopted up his efficiency in opposition to the Bengals with one other lackluster sport, this time in opposition to the Browns. He threw for simply 54 yards with one landing and an interception within the 27-20 win in opposition to Cleveland. The Jets gained regardless of Fields’ efficiency, thanks to 2 particular groups return touchdowns by Kene Nwangwu and Isaiah Williams.
