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10/22/25 03:29:00
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10/22 15:27 CDT Fields or Taylor? Jets coach Aaron Glenn keeping Bengals
guessing on starting quarterback
Fields or Taylor? Jets coach Aaron Glenn keeping Bengals guessing on starting
quarterback
By DENNIS WASZAK Jr.
AP Pro Football Writer
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) --- Aaron Glenn knows who the New York Jets' starting
quarterback will be at Cincinnati. But the coach, still looking for his first
victory, isn't revealing his plan.
"We will have a quarterback on Sunday," Glenn said Wednesday. "I will tell you
that."
Justin Fields was benched after another dismal performance last Sunday and
Tyrod Taylor played the second half of New York's 13-6 loss to Carolina.
Glenn said Monday he would speak to his staff and even talk to other coaches
who have dealt with quarterback quandaries. He also said his call would come
down to who he thought gives the Jets the best chance to win Sunday against the
Bengals.
And he doesn't want Cincinnati to know who that might be.
"I wouldn't want to give them a competitive advantage when I have that
opportunity," Glenn said. "But we will have a quarterback."
Adding to the ambiguity of the situation, Taylor is dealing with a knee ailment
--- "It's something that he had before," Glenn said.
Taylor had arthroscopic knee surgery during training camp and didn't play in
the preseason. He has been healthy since returning ahead of Week 1. Taylor was
on the field for warmups with Fields and rookie Brady Cook during the portion
of practice open to the media and was listed as a limited participant on the
injury report.
After practice, Fields said he wasn't told who was starting this week.
"I honestly don't know and that's a question for A.G.," said Fields, who added
the quarterbacks split the snaps.
Fields also said he's "at peace" with his situation, regardless of the outside
noise.
"Literally everything around me can quote-unquote be negative in terms of the
world," Fields said. "But I promise you there's nothing in this world, there's
nothing that can faze me, and that's just due to my relationship with the Lord."
It appeared likely the Jets would turn to Taylor this week because of Fields'
recent struggles --- and particularly after owner Woody Johnson told reporters
at the NFL's annual fall owners meeting that the Jets' 0-7 start was largely
because of the poor play at quarterback by Fields.
"He has the ability, but something just is not jiving," Johnson said. "The
offense is just not clicking. And you can't run the ball if you can't pass the
ball. That's Football 101."
Fields was 6 of 12 for 46 yards in the first two quarters against the Panthers.
That came a week after he was 9 of 17 for 45 yards and sacked nine times in the
Jets' 13-11 loss to Denver in London, when New York had a franchise-worst
minus-10 net yards passing.
Fields said after practice Wednesday he didn't previously hear what Johnson
said because he doesn't follow social media.
"It doesn't bother me," Fields said. "It doesn't. Of course, everybody knows I
need to play better, we need to play better as a team. Of course, no matter how
the offense does as a unit, I'm going to get the blame and I understand that.
It's just what comes with the job. ...
"No matter if it's him, no matter if it's family members or even teammates
sometimes, there's going to be times where you have to be the only one who
believes in yourself."
Fields said he doesn't plan to speak to Johnson about his comments and added he
hasn't had many interactions with the owner since signing a two-year, $40
million contract with the Jets in March.
Johnson made it clear he wasn't happy with Fields, but insisted he would not
influence Glenn's decision.
On Wednesday, Glenn pushed back at the narrative that Johnson clearly would
prefer Taylor to play over Fields.
"What makes you say that? Did he say that?" Glenn asked a reporter.
When told that Johnson was critical of Fields and said he had trouble
completing passes, Glenn bristled again.
"Does that say he doesn't like the quarterback?" Glenn said. "Does that say
that this quarterback is not playing?"
Glenn was then asked how Johnson's comments might have impacted his final call.
"Woody puts that in my hands as far as who plays and I don't see that
changing," Glenn said. "He trusts me to make that decision. He made a comment
and he has every right to his comment. That comment was actually said by a
number of guys, including our quarterback, as far as the efficiency of how we
play. ...
"But I don't think there's anywhere in that comment where he said he doesn't
like Justin."
Last week, Glenn defended Fields by saying the quarterback took "a step back"
against Denver, but attributed that to several factors. Against Carolina, it
was more of the same struggles for Fields and the NFL's worst-ranked passing
offense.
Trying to spark things, Glenn benched Fields at halftime. Taylor went 10 of 22
for 126 yards and two interceptions in Fields' place.
Injuries
Glenn said cornerback Sauce Gardner and running back Kene Nwangwu are in the
concussion protocol and their availability for the game at Cincinnati is
uncertain. Cornerback Michael Carter II cleared the protocol and fully
practiced.
Linebacker Quincy Williams was designated to return from injured reserve and
was a full participant as he works toward returning from a shoulder injury.
Wide receiver Garrett Wilson (knee), cornerback Sauce Gardner (concussion),
running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu (concussion), linebacker Cam Jones
(hip), tight end Stone Smartt (quad) and defensive tackle Jay Tufele (knee) all
sat out.
Running back Breece Hall (knee), edge rusher Jermaine Johnson (ankle) and
cornerback Qwan'tez Stiggers (hip) were limited.
---
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
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