Jets HC Aaron Glenn ‘evaluating everything’ after New York’s loss to Patriots, including quarterback
If one needs an example of how much the business of the NFL depends on results, it’s right here. Glenn is clearly frustrated with his team’s struggles and is desperate for a spark, especially after their collective miscues doomed them in an otherwise competitive game in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Thursday night.
To Fields’ credit, he made some positive plays. Designed runs worked well for the Jets early in the game, helping power an impressive opening scoring drive that ended in a Fields rushing score. The Ohio State product also fired a handful of remarkably accurate passes, though most were dropped by his intended targets on a night in which one pass-catcher, recently acquired receiver Adonai Mitchell, struggled significantly.
Glenn acknowledged Fields’ contributions, saying the quarterback “did some good things” in the 27-14 loss to the Patriots. But some good things might not be enough.
“Obviously, we’ve got to do a better job in the passing game, and that has a lot to do with Justin getting the ball to the right guys,” Glenn said. “And also the guys, when they do get a chance to get the ball, that they make those plays.”
In most cases, the Jets are failing to make such plays. Fields is not without fault, either; He’s consistently ranked near or at the bottom of NFL.com’s QB Index this season because he’s fallen painfully short of the standard for NFL quarterbacks as a passer and has struggled with ball security while leading an offense that simply doesn’t threaten most defenses.
“Not good enough,” Fields said Thursday night after the loss to the Patriots. “You know, we lost the game, so wasn’t good enough. Every time we lose, my performance isn’t good enough.”
Even in their most recent win, a 27-20 triumph over the Cleveland Browns, Fields completed just 6 of 11 passes for 54 yards, one touchdown (via a screen pass and long run after the catch by running back Breece Hall) and one ghastly interception that led to a Browns score. The Jets could thank their special teams, which accounted for two return touchdowns, for that victory.
When Taylor last saw action as a starter, New York’s offense looked the best it has all season, battling with the superior Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a 29-27 defeat way back in Week 3.
At minimum, given a week to prepare as the starter, Taylor might increase the Jets’ odds of victory. In a 2-8 season, that can go a long way for a team all but guaranteed to miss the postseason.
“I think you hear that quite a bit when you get these quarterback changes is, ‘Man, I’m trying to get a spark for the team,'” Glenn said. “But to me, it’s more or less, man, I’m trying to make the best decision to give our guys a chance to win because to me, a spark is really a short-term deal. And I don’t know if this is what other coaches’ decisions are, but, man, I want to make a decision to give us a chance to win.”
We’ll see if it’s truly as simple as Glenn explained it Friday.
