The New York Jets have decided to bench quarterback Justin Fields, favoring veteran Tyrod Taylor as their starter for the upcoming Week 12 game against the Baltimore Ravens. This decision, reported by The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, follows a tumultuous period for Fields, whose starting role has been under scrutiny since his performance in a Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers. That game, which left the Jets as the last winless team in the league, prompted critical remarks from Jets owner Woody Johnson, who defended head coach Aaron Glenn while questioning Fields’ effectiveness.
In the aftermath of the Week 7 debacle, the Jets did not initially announce their Week 8 starting quarterback. Fields took the helm again, albeit briefly, following Taylor’s injury during the game against the Cincinnati Bengals. He managed to secure a victory against the Cleveland Browns in Week 10 but faltered in a follow-up loss to the New England Patriots.
Now, Tyrod Taylor, who is recovering from his Week 8 injury, steps back into the spotlight. Taylor has a respectable track record, having previously spent three seasons as the starting quarterback for the Buffalo Bills, and has collected 379 passing yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions this season as a backup.
Looking ahead to Fields’ future, if the Jets decide to part ways with him by 2026, his path may involve a transition to a backup role to regain his standing in the league. Identifying potential new team environments, he could aim to develop his skills under well-established dual-threat quarterbacks such as Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens or Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles. Both quarterbacks have demonstrated what it takes to thrive as dual-threat players, and Fields could benefit immensely from their experience.
The Las Vegas Raiders could also represent an opportunity for Fields, especially since head coach Pete Carroll has successfully revitalized the careers of quarterbacks like Geno Smith in the past. This potential partnership could provide Fields with the stability he needs while allowing Carroll to oversee another reclamation project.
The Jets’ decision to shift to Taylor reflects a pivotal moment for the franchise as they aim to break free from their current struggles and possibly discover a more productive offensive strategy. As they navigate the remainder of the season, both Fields and Taylor face critical opportunities to impact their careers and the team’s fortunes moving forward.