Gang Green Nation
There’s no secret the New York Jets have been struggling this season. After all, a 2-8 record speaks for itself. Under center of it (both figurately and literally) has been quarterback Justin Fields. And ahead of the team’s Week 12 matchup, head coach Aaron Glenn had finally seen enough and decided to pull the switch, benching Fields for veteran Tyrod Taylor. Yet, was it the right move for the NY Jets?
When the NY Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract this offseason, there were mixed feelings. Some thought that the Jets should have avoided targeting Fields as their next quarterback. Meanwhile, others were optimistic that a change in scenery could bring out the best in the Ohio State product.
However, the product on the field has left a lot to be desired.
Through 11 games this season with the Jets, Fields threw for 1259 yards and had seven touchdowns to one interception. He also added 383 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. While he protected the football, the unit wasn’t going anywhere with it, either. With Fields as the starter, the Jets’ 20.9 points per game ranked 25th in league.
It’s easy to point at the lack of receiving weapons the Jets have this season as a reason for Fields’ failures on the field. And, at times, some of the play-calling has done him no favors. However, there have been some serious problems with Fields under center.
To start, his location accuracy is extremely inconsistent. He has an extremely hard time hitting receivers in stride and on the correct shoulder. Here, he makes an easy throw look difficult. While the ball was dropped by the receiver, the pass couldn’t have been put in a worse spot for AD Mitchell to make a play on the ball.
While in a one-off situation, this isn’t an end of the world type of play. However, it has consistently happened to the Jets with Fields under center.
The second issue that has arisen is that the quarterback is extremely hesitant – to do anything.
On more than on occasion, Fields is given a clean pocket to work with. Yet instead of making a play, he waits. Then, he waits some more; and continues to wait until any passing window has closed before scrambling or making a bad throw.
Sometimes, this leads to sacks (and fumbles – like the case against Miami). Other times, it leads to scrambles because Fields will not throw the ball downfield.
It shows Fields’ inability to read the field (no pun intended). And, that was the case in his lone interception of the season against Cleveland.
There’s a reason why the Fields has four games with less than 60 passing yards. And in today’s NFL, that’s unacceptable by any standard.
While some may believe that Fields wasn’t given a fair shot as the starting quarterback...
