Justin Fields or Tyrod Taylor? Aaron Glenn won't say who Jets' Week 10 starting QB will be
Jets quarterback Justin Fields runs during the first half of an NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 26 in Cincinnati. Credit: AP/Joshua A. Bickel
The Jets are back from their bye week, and Aaron Glenn is back to keeping people guessing who his starting quarterback will be.
It’ll be surprising if it isn’t Justin Fields after he helped lead the Jets to their first win after seven losses in their last game.
“I’m not going to give you that answer,” Glenn said during a Zoom call on Monday. “You will find out soon who our starting quarterback will be. Justin did a hell of a job against Cincinnati, but you know I’m going to keep that close to the vest.”
Glenn said he has his “own reasons” for not revealing whether it will be Fields or Tyrod Taylor when the Jets host the Cleveland Browns (2-6) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
“That’s how I want to operate,” Glenn said. “I think you guys know that. So as we go throughout the week, I know you guys are going to ask me again. You’re going to get the same answer. So you will know who the starting quarterback is when we go out there for Cleveland.”
It was widely believed that Glenn would turn to Taylor against the Bengals because of how the offense performed previously with Fields running it. Taylor, however, was limited all week in practice with a knee issue and eventually was ruled out.
Glenn said Taylor will return to practice this week. It’s too soon to know to what extent. The Jets worked out some free-agent quarterbacks last week, which led to speculation that his knee might keep him out a little longer.
Fields played his best game of the season against the Bengals and helped the Jets come back from a 15-point fourth-quarter deficit. He completed 21 of 32 passes for 244 yards, one touchdown and two two-point conversions (one run, one pass).
Defensive tackle Harrison Phillips called Fields’ performance “super-inspiring,” especially after the “stressful week” he had.
Glenn intimated that his starter already knows his status. He was asked if it would help his quarterback’s confidence if his coach came out and declared him “The Guy.”
“It helps the quarterback’s confidence when the player and the coach talk and they know who ‘The Guy’ is,” Glenn said. “Not that I’m telling it to you guys. That has nothing to do with the player’s confidence.
“That’ll be between me and the player. I don’t understand why you guys keep doing it. It’s really getting hilarious, too. You guys keep asking the same question and I keep giving you the same answer.”
Trade deadline
The NFL trade deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday, and among the Jets who could be on the move are Jermaine Johnson, Quincy Williams, Breece Hall and Allen Lazard.
The Jets made a deal last week, acquiring wide receiver John Metchie and a 2027 sixth-round pick for nickel back Michael Carter II and a 2027 seventh-rounder.
Glenn said Metchie is process-oriented and is a good fit for “the brand of football that we talk about in-house.”
“He’s our type of guy,” he said.
Cisco’s season is over
Safety Andre Cisco will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury that will require surgery, Glenn said.
Cisco, who was raised in Valley Stream and went to St. Anthony’s High School for two years, was hurt in the Cincinnati game. Glenn said Cisco is dealing with “other things” in his arm that will be repaired when he undergoes the procedure.
Cisco signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Jets in the offseason. He had 41 tackles, one pass defended and a fumble recovery — the Jets’ lone takeaway this season.
Wilson, Gardner close
Garrett Wilson, who missed two games with a knee injury, will return to practice this week. Glenn wouldn’t say whether he expects Wilson to play Sunday.
“Let’s see how that goes during the week,” he said. “I don’t want to place too much on him right now. But I’m excited about him getting out there and being able to practice this week.”
Glenn also said Sauce Gardner, who missed the Cincinnati game with a concussion, is close to being cleared to return. It’s the same for Kene Nwangwu and Kiko Mauigoa.
“Those guys are finishing up their protocol,” Glenn said. “I’m assuming that would go perfect, so looking forward to those guys getting out and practicing also.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
More Jets
