Week 7 saw the Jets make a halftime change at the quarterback spot. Since then, owner Woody Johnson has offered a scathing evaluation of Justin Fields‘ play during his debut campaign in New York. 
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In the wake of those comments, the expectation has emerged Tyrod Taylor will take over starting duties on a permanent basis. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but the team is certainly operating as though a change in the depth chart will take place in time for Week 8. Fields said (via SNY’s Connor Hughes) he and Taylor split first-team reps during practice on Wednesday.
Taylor’s second-half performance against the Panthers saw him complete just 10 of 22 passes for 126 scoreless yards. The 36-year-old also threw a pair of interceptions. The Jets will need better play from under center regardless of who handles starting duties moving forward. Taylor is a pending free agent, whereas Fields inked a deal in March which runs through the 2026 season and contains $30MM in guarantees.
When speaking to the media about the quarterback situation (video link via SNY), head coach Aaron Glenn said a decision has been made with respect to the Jets’ Week 8 starter. It has not been announced, though, meaning speculation about the team’s direction will continue over the coming days. The Jets have a top-10 rushing offense this season but they rank last in the NFL in passing yards per game. Finding a better balance on offense will be key to ending the team’s seven-game losing streak.
Provided New York moves forward with Taylor, questions will be raised about Fields’ chances of operating as a QB1 again in the NFL. The former Bears first-rounder went 4-2 as a starter with the Steelers last season, indicating he could find success on his third career team. That has not proven to be the case so far, and Fields’ first campaign in New York could soon include a backup spell.
Taylor gets the start. Can’t see how Glenn trots Fields out there after the mess with the owner.
Or, just as plausibly, Fields gets the start, with the “explanation” that ownership issued a Final Ultimatum.
There is almost no point to starting Taylor. He is what he is, a journeyman NFL QB, with a drab portfolio. Let’s hypothetically say he wins 2 or 3 more games for the Jets than Fields. So what? The Jets are still a non-playoff team, but the couple of additional wins cost them a few positions in the draft. We find out, once again, what we already know – that Taylor is a bottom three NFL QB. What’s to gain?
Meanwhile, the money invested in Fields is already a sunk cost – bench him now, and his already tenuous trade value drops to zero. There would be zero chance of recovering anything on the depreciated investment.
Woody Johnson spoke out of emotion when assailling his so-far-failed $40,000,000 investment, but he’s savvy enough to realize that any minute improvements that Taylor might provide will have zero return in an already lost season.
Might as well see if there’s anything that can be done to salvage your $40m, rather than just pitching it out the window of the bus.
At no point should JFs be a starting in the NFL.
There is almost no point to starting Fields either. It legit doesnt matter lol
I can see why Jordan Travis opted to retire instead of dealing with all this
What an absolute joke the Jets franchise is.
Justin Fields has been horrible, but I don’t know what 36-year old Tyrod Taylor throwing to Josh Reynolds and Tyler Johnson is going to accomplish. Frankly running Fields into that hologram defense of the Bengals is a likelier path to victory (still unlikely).
Make phone calls.
JFs still can’t throw. He can’t process pre snap or post snap.
I read several reports that Tyrod was limited in practice with a knee injury and not expected to play. Even with that, he’s probably more fit to lead the team than Fields.