Jets' Justin Fields will start at QB vs. Bengals
Jets quarterback Justin Fields watches from the sidelines during the fourth quarter of an NFL game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Credit: AP/Adam Hunger
CINCINNATI — Justin Fields is keeping his job for at least one more game.
The Jets said Fields will be their starting quarterback Sunday against the Bengals. Backup Tyrod Taylor was ruled out and didn’t make the trip to Cincinnati because of a knee injury that kept him limited all week in practice.
Rookie Brady Cook will be the backup when the Jets (0-7) try to pick up a win before going into their bye week.
Many observers expected Jets coach Aaron Glenn to start Taylor because of how much Fields has struggled this season.
Throughout the week, Glenn refused to name his starter, saying he didn’t want to give Cincinnati “a competitive advantage.”
On Friday, he got testy with reporters asking about the quarterback situation. ”That’s exactly why I’m not telling you, because I don’t want to,” he said. When pressed, he added, “ . . . I don’t know how many times I’ve got to answer you that. It’s not going to change.”
Glenn also was asked if Taylor physically could play. He included him with other players limited in practice and said, “I like the way those guys are trending.”
During the week, Fields and Taylor said they didn’t know who would be starting Sunday.
“I honestly don’t know,” Fields said. “That’s a question for AG.”
Taylor said he didn’t know what his role would be Sunday.
Glenn replaced Fields with Taylor at halftime of last week's 13-6 loss to Carolina. The Jets didn’t score a touchdown for the second consecutive game, but the offense moved better with Taylor. He threw for 126 yards against the Panthers; Fields threw for 46.
In the offseason, the Jets gave Fields a two-year contract, with $30 million guaranteed, to be their starter, but Fields has led only four touchdown drives in his last five starts. His three worst passing-yard games as a starter have come during that span, and he has thrown for only 91 yards in the past two games.
On Tuesday, team owner Woody Johnson basically said the Jets can’t win with Fields.
"If we could complete a pass, it would look good,” Johnson said. “You have to complete a pass. You have to convince them you can do something, otherwise it’s hard to have a game you can win.”
Fields has completed 86 of 135 passes for 845 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions this season. He also has three rushing touchdowns and two fumbles lost.
Despite Johnson’s remarks, Glenn said it was his call as to who his starter would be: “Woody leaves all that up to me,” he said.
Taylor’s injury helped Glenn make the decision.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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