Pats Pulpit
Last Thursday’s 27-14 loss to the New England Patriots was the last for Justin Fields as starting quarterback of the New York Jets. According to multiple reports out of the Big Apple, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn has decided to bench Fields in favor of veteran backup Tyrod Taylor.
A first-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 2021, Fields joined the Jets earlier this offseason after a one-year stint in Pittsburgh. Effectively the team’s No. 1 quarterback since his arrival, he completed 128 of 204 pass attempts (62.7%) for 1,259 yards with seven touchdowns and an interception as well as four rushing touchdowns and three lost fumbles in his nine starts this season.
While his stat line is not necessarily bad, Fields’ overall body of work has not been up to the task — contributing to the Jets’ 2-8 start, including last Thursday’s loss at Gillette Stadium. He did give the Patriots some trouble on the ground, registering 67 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries, but failed to seriously challenge them as a passer.
As a result, four days after that game, he has now been benched.
In his place, Tyrod Taylor will try to lead the team’s offense moving forward. The 36-year-old went 26-of-36 (72.2%) for 197 yards with two touchdowns and two turnovers in his lone start in place of an injured Fields in Week 3.
If he retains the starting job until the end of the season, Taylor will also start the Jets’ second game against the Patriots in Week 17. Kickoff for that contest at East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 28.
