Just as the New York Jets seem poised to pull the trigger on a massive quarterback overhaul. They are making this move after a long line of struggles for Justin Fields. Team owner Woody Johnson wasn’t shy about going to town on Fields. He expressed his frustrations with the quarterback’s lack of consistency and this offense’s predictable play calling. Johnson, it would seem, is equally ready for a clean slate. He thinks fixing up the defense and special teams is the quickest path to making a 180.
In comments made over the past few days, Johnson suggested that Tyrod Taylor should be considered a frontrunner to be the new starting quarterback. This decision comes on the heels of Fields’ recent high-profile difficulties in a game. He was 6 for 12 with only 46 yards in the first half and took three sacks. Johnson noted that the offense is not functioning effectively, stating, “It’s hard when you have a quarterback with a rating that he’s got. I’m not saying he doesn’t have talent, but something is off. You want to hold on to it and you want to play regularly from that spot. That’s what we’re hoping to do with the rest of the season!
That said, Fields’s play this year has been a disaster. He’s on track for a career-low Total QBR of 32.1, which would rank him 31st out of 33 qualified passers. This has made the current downturn especially sharp. He picked up where he left off in the season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers, producing one of the great performances of his career. The series’ tumultuous promise has not been represented in the later titles.
Johnson sure sounds confident in head coach Aaron Glenn. He reiterated that the call on the quarterback change would be 100 percent Glenn’s. “I’ve known Aaron since 1996 [when] I was a fan. I’ve always been a fan of him. I see the way he handles the room. If I were a player, I’d respond to him because he’s the real deal,” said Johnson. He promised fans that Glenn would always do what’s best for the team.
Even with the QB upheaval, Johnson remains positive looking forward to how far they’ll be able to go this season. He would like to have tangible growth on the defense and special teams. He’s optimistic these improvements would go a long way toward creating the framework for improved outcomes in the future.
Fields’s early-season promise has withered, but the Jets have faith. It sounds like they think Taylor can breath life into their moribund offense. Johnson remarked on the importance of balance in the game, stating, “If we can just complete a pass, it would look good.” He doubled down on his intent to make the smart, strategic moves needed to succeed.
Johnson went on to make the case for Fields and Taylor. He commented on the decision to release long-time starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers earlier in the season. He stated that he has no regrets about letting Rodgers go, even as Rodgers leads the Pittsburgh Steelers to a commendable 4-2 start. The difference between Rodgers succeeding and Fields failing has been lost on Jets fans, or the Jets front office.
The Jets have a big metamorphosis coming in more ways than one. Top of the depth chart, all eyes will be on Taylor as he embraces the starting role. Those next few games will be the most important of Taylor’s—and Glenn’s—tenure. They and the entire front office are committed to changing the team’s luck in this parodical league.
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